Methods and compositions for detecting and diagnosing diseases and conditions

ABSTRACT

The disclosure provides methods for detecting and diagnosing diseases and conditions associated with defects in cardiolipin remodeling. In some embodiments, the present technology relates to methods for detecting the presence or amount of cardiolipin isoforms and/or the presence or amount of enzymes involved in cardiolipin remodeling.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. 371 National Stage Application ofInternational Application No. PCT/US2014/043711, filed Jun. 23, 2014,which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 61/840,760, filed Jun. 28, 2013, and U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 61/839,753, filed Jun. 26, 2013, all of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates generally to compositions and methods fordetecting and diagnosing diseases and conditions associated with defectsin cardiolipin remodeling and/or mitochondrial dysfunction. Inparticular, the present technology relates to methods for detecting thepresence or amount of cardiolipin isoforms and/or the presence or amountof enzymes involved in cardiolipin remodeling.

BACKGROUND

The following description is provided to assist the understanding of thereader. None of the information provided or references cited is admittedto be prior art to the present invention.

Heart failure is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide.In the United States, it affects nearly 5 million people and is the onlymajor cardiovascular disorder on the rise. It is estimated that 400,000to 700,000 new cases of heart failure are diagnosed each year in theU.S. and the number of deaths in the U.S. attributable to this conditionhas more than doubled since 1979, currently averaging 250,000 annually.Although heart failure affects people of all ages, the risk of heartfailure increases with age and is most common among older people.Accordingly, the number of people living with heart failure is expectedto increase significantly as the elderly population grows over the nextfew decades. The causes of heart failure have been linked to variousdisorders including coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, pastmyocardial infarction, hypertension, abnormal heart valves,cardiomyopathy or myocarditis, congenital heart disease, severe lungdisease, diabetes, severe anemia, hyperthyroidism, arrhythmia ordysrhythmia.

Multiple forms of heart failure are associated with defects inremodeling of the mitochondrial phospholipid cardiolipin, includinggenetic and sporadic forms of heart failure. Defects in cardiolipinremodeling thus serve as a diagnostic marker for heart failure, whichmay be monitored via the presence or level of cardiolipin isoformspresent in a subject, and/or the presence or level of enzymes involvedin cardiolipin remodeling.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for diagnosingheart failure in a mammalian subject, the method comprising assessingcardiolipin remodeling in a biological sample from the subject.

In some embodiments, assessing cardiolipin remodeling comprisesdetecting levels of cardiolipin remodeling enzymes.

In some embodiments, detecting levels of cardiolipin remodeling enzymescomprises detecting the level of one or more of TAZ1, MLCL AT1, orALCAT1 mRNA compared to a normal control subject.

In some embodiments, the level of MLCL AT1 or ALCAT1 mRNA is elevatedabout 2.5-fold compared to a normal control subject.

In some embodiments, the level of TAZ1 mRNA is reduced about 2.5-foldcompared to a normal control subject.

In some embodiments, assessing cardiolipin remodeling comprisesdetecting levels of cardiolipin isoforms compared to a normal controlsubject.

In some embodiments, detecting one or more of TAZ1, MLCL AT1, or ALCAT1mRNA comprises RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, or Northern blotting.

In some embodiments, detecting levels of cardiolipin isoforms compriseschromatography, mass spectrometry, ELISA, Western blotting,immunodetection, or immunoprecipitation.

In some embodiments, assessing cardiolipin remodeling comprises amitochondrial function assay.

In some embodiments, the mitochondrial function assay comprises the useof peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), leukocytes, or ex vivotissues.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises administering to thesubject a therapeutically effective amount of the peptideD-Arg-2′6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂ or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof.

In some embodiments, the peptide is administered daily for 6 weeks ormore.

In some embodiments, the peptide is administered daily for 12 weeks ormore.

In some embodiments, the heart failure results from hypertension;ischemic heart disease; exposure to a cardiotoxic compound; myocarditis;thyroid disease; viral infection; gingivitis; drug abuse; alcohol abuse;pericarditis; atherosclerosis; vascular disease; hypertrophiccardiomyopathy; acute myocardial infarction; left ventricular systolicdysfunction; coronary bypass surgery; starvation; an eating disorder; ora genetic defect.

In some embodiments, the subject is human.

In some embodiments, the peptide is administered orally, topically,systemically, intravenously, subcutaneously, intraperitoneally, orintramuscularly

In some embodiments, the method further comprises separately,sequentially or simultaneously administering a cardiovascular agent tothe subject.

In some embodiments, the cardiovascular agent is selected from the groupconsisting of: an anti-arrhythmia agent, a vasodilator, an anti-anginalagent, a corticosteroid, a cardioglycoside, a diuretic, a sedative, anangiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, an angiotensin IIantagonist, a thrombolytic agent, a calcium channel blocker, athroboxane receptor antagonist, a radical scavenger, an anti-plateletdrug, a β-adrenaline receptor blocking drug, α-receptor blocking drug, asympathetic nerve inhibitor, a digitalis formulation, an inotrope, andan antihyperlipidemic drug.

In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt comprisesacetate or trifluoroacetate salt.

In some embodiments, the biological sample comprises tissue, a cell, ora mitochondria from the subject.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for monitoringtreatment for heart failure in a mammalian subject in need thereof, themethod comprising assessing cardiolipin remodeling in a biologicalsample from the subject.

In some embodiments, assessing cardiolipin remodeling comprisesdetecting levels of cardiolipin remodeling enzymes.

In some embodiments, detecting levels of cardiolipin remodeling enzymescomprises detecting the level of one or more of TAZ1, MLCL AT1, orALCAT1 mRNA compared to a normal control subject.

In some embodiments, the level of MLCL AT1 or ALCAT1 mRNA is elevatedabout 2 to about 2.5-fold compared to a normal control subject.

In some embodiments, the level of TAZ1 mRNA is reduced about 2 to about2.5-fold compared to a normal control subject.

In some embodiments, assessing cardiolipin remodeling comprisesdetecting levels of cardiolipin isoforms compared to a normal controlsubject.

In some embodiments, detecting one or more of TAZ1, MLCL AT1, or ALCAT1mRNA comprises RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, or Northern blotting.

In some embodiments, detecting levels of cardiolipin isoforms compriseschromatography, mass spectrometry, ELISA, Western blotting,immunodetection, or immunoprecipitation.

In some embodiments, assessing cardiolipin remodeling comprises amitochondrial function assay.

In some embodiments, the mitochondrial function assay comprises the useof peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), leukocytes, or ex vivotissues.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises administering to thesubject a therapeutically effective amount of the peptideD-Arg-2′6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂ or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof.

In some embodiments, the peptide is administered daily for 6 weeks ormore.

In some embodiments, the peptide is administered daily for 12 weeks ormore.

In some embodiments, the heart failure results from hypertension;ischemic heart disease; exposure to a cardiotoxic compound; myocarditis;thyroid disease; viral infection; gingivitis; drug abuse; alcohol abuse;pericarditis; atherosclerosis; vascular disease; hypertrophiccardiomyopathy; acute myocardial infarction; left ventricular systolicdysfunction; coronary bypass surgery; starvation; an eating disorder; ora genetic defect.

In some embodiments, the subject is human.

In some embodiments, the peptide is administered orally, topically,systemically, intravenously, subcutaneously, intraperitoneally, orintramuscularly

In some embodiments, the method further comprises separately,sequentially or simultaneously administering a cardiovascular agent tothe subject.

In some embodiments, the cardiovascular agent is selected from the groupconsisting of: an anti-arrhythmia agent, a vasodilator, an anti-anginalagent, a corticosteroid, a cardioglycoside, a diuretic, a sedative, anangiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, an angiotensin IIantagonist, a thrombolytic agent, a calcium channel blocker, athroboxane receptor antagonist, a radical scavenger, an anti-plateletdrug, a β-adrenaline receptor blocking drug, α-receptor blocking drug, asympathetic nerve inhibitor, a digitalis formulation, an inotrope, andan antihyperlipidemic drug.

In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt comprisesacetate or trifluoroacetate salt.

In some embodiments, the biological sample comprises tissue, a cell, ora mitochondria from the subject.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for assessingmitochondrial dysfunction in a mammalian subject in need thereof, themethod comprising assessing cardiolipin remodeling in a biologicalsample from the subject.

In some embodiments, assessing cardiolipin remodeling comprisesdetecting levels of cardiolipin remodeling enzymes.

In some embodiments, detecting levels of cardiolipin remodeling enzymescomprises detecting the level of one or more of TAZ1, MLCL AT1, orALCAT1 mRNA compared to a normal control subject.

In some embodiments, the level of MLCL AT1 or ALCAT1 mRNA is elevatedabout 2.5-fold compared to a normal control subject.

In some embodiments, the level of TAZ1 mRNA is reduced about 2 to about2.5-fold compared to a normal control subject.

In some embodiments, assessing cardiolipin remodeling comprisesdetecting levels of cardiolipin isoforms compared to a normal controlsubject.

In some embodiments, detecting one or more of TAZ1, MLCL AT1, or ALCAT1mRNA comprises RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, or Northern blotting.

In some embodiments, detecting levels of cardiolipin isoforms compriseschromatography, mass spectrometry, ELISA, Western blotting,immunodetection, or immunoprecipitation.

In some embodiments, assessing cardiolipin remodeling comprises amitochondrial function assay.

In some embodiments, the mitochondrial function assay comprises the useof peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), leukocytes, or ex vivotissues.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises administering to thesubject a therapeutically effective amount of the peptideD-Arg-2′6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂ or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof.

In some embodiments, the peptide is administered daily for 6 weeks ormore.

In some embodiments, the peptide is administered daily for 12 weeks ormore.

In some embodiments, the mitochondrial dysfunction results fromhypertension; ischemic heart disease; exposure to a cardiotoxiccompound; myocarditis; thyroid disease; viral infection; gingivitis;drug abuse; alcohol abuse; pericarditis; atherosclerosis; vasculardisease; hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; acute myocardial infarction; leftventricular systolic dysfunction; coronary bypass surgery; starvation;an eating disorder; or a genetic defect.

In some embodiments, the subject is human.

In some embodiments, the peptide is administered orally, topically,systemically, intravenously, subcutaneously, intraperitoneally, orintramuscularly

In some embodiments, the method further comprises separately,sequentially or simultaneously administering a cardiovascular agent tothe subject.

In some embodiments, the cardiovascular agent is selected from the groupconsisting of: an anti-arrhythmia agent, a vasodilator, an anti-anginalagent, a corticosteroid, a cardioglycoside, a diuretic, a sedative, anangiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, an angiotensin IIantagonist, a thrombolytic agent, a calcium channel blocker, athroboxane receptor antagonist, a radical scavenger, an anti-plateletdrug, a β-adrenaline receptor blocking drug, α-receptor blocking drug, asympathetic nerve inhibitor, a digitalis formulation, an inotrope, andan antihyperlipidemic drug.

In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt comprisesacetate or trifluoroacetate salt.

In some embodiments, the biological sample comprises tissue, a cell, ora mitochondria from the subject.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for assessingcardiolipin content and composition in a mammalian subject in needthereof, the method comprising assessing cardiolipin remodeling in abiological sample from the subject.

In some embodiments, assessing cardiolipin remodeling comprisesdetecting levels of cardiolipin remodeling enzymes.

In some embodiments, detecting levels of cardiolipin remodeling enzymescomprises detecting the level of one or more of TAZ1, MLCL AT1, orALCAT1 mRNA compared to a normal control subject.

In some embodiments, the level of MLCL AT1 or ALCAT1 mRNA is elevatedabout 2.5-fold compared to a normal control subject.

In some embodiments, the level of TAZ1 mRNA is reduced about 2.5-foldcompared to a normal control subject.

In some embodiments, assessing cardiolipin remodeling comprisesdetecting levels of cardiolipin isoforms compared to a normal controlsubject.

In some embodiments, detecting one or more of TAZ1, MLCL AT1, or ALCAT1mRNA comprises RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, or Northern blotting.

In some embodiments, detecting levels of cardiolipin isoforms compriseschromatography, mass spectrometry, ELISA, Western blotting,immunodetection, or immunoprecipitation.

In some embodiments, assessing cardiolipin remodeling comprises amitochondrial function assay.

In some embodiments, the mitochondrial function assay comprises the useof peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), leukocytes, or ex vivotissues.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises administering to thesubject a therapeutically effective amount of the peptideD-Arg-2′6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂ or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof.

In some embodiments, the peptide is administered daily for 6 weeks ormore.

In some embodiments, the peptide is administered daily for 12 weeks ormore.

In some embodiments, the cardiolipin content and composition is aberrantdue to hypertension; ischemic heart disease; exposure to a cardiotoxiccompound; myocarditis; thyroid disease; viral infection; gingivitis;drug abuse; alcohol abuse; pericarditis; atherosclerosis; vasculardisease; hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; acute myocardial infarction; leftventricular systolic dysfunction; coronary bypass surgery; starvation;an eating disorder; or a genetic defect.

In some embodiments, the subject is human.

In some embodiments, the peptide is administered orally, topically,systemically, intravenously, subcutaneously, intraperitoneally, orintramuscularly

In some embodiments, the method further comprises separately,sequentially or simultaneously administering a cardiovascular agent tothe subject.

In some embodiments, the cardiovascular agent is selected from the groupconsisting of: an anti-arrhythmia agent, a vasodilator, an anti-anginalagent, a corticosteroid, a cardioglycoside, a diuretic, a sedative, anangiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, an angiotensin IIantagonist, a thrombolytic agent, a calcium channel blocker, athroboxane receptor antagonist, a radical scavenger, an anti-plateletdrug, a β-adrenaline receptor blocking drug, α-receptor blocking drug, asympathetic nerve inhibitor, a digitalis formulation, an inotrope, andan antihyperlipidemic drug.

In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt comprisesacetate or trifluoroacetate salt.

In some embodiments, the biological sample comprises tissue, a cell, ora mitochondria from the subject.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be appreciated that certain aspects, modes, embodiments,variations and features of the invention are described below in variouslevels of detail in order to provide a substantial understanding of thepresent invention. The definitions of certain terms as used in thisspecification are provided below. Unless defined otherwise, alltechnical and scientific terms used herein generally have the samemeaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art towhich this invention belongs.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the contentclearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to “a cell” includesa combination of two or more cells, and the like.

As used herein, the “administration” of an agent, drug, or peptide to asubject includes any route of introducing or delivering to a subject acompound to perform its intended function. Administration can be carriedout by any suitable route, including orally, intranasally, parenterally(intravenously, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, or subcutaneously),or topically. Administration includes self-administration and theadministration by another.

As used herein, the term “amino acid” includes naturally-occurring aminoacids and synthetic amino acids, as well as amino acid analogs and aminoacid mimetics that function in a manner similar to thenaturally-occurring amino acids. Naturally-occurring amino acids arethose encoded by the genetic code, as well as those amino acids that arelater modified, e.g., hydroxyproline, γ-carboxyglutamate, andO-phosphoserine. Amino acid analogs refers to compounds that have thesame basic chemical structure as a naturally-occurring amino acid, i.e.,an α-carbon that is bound to a hydrogen, a carboxyl group, an aminogroup, and an R group, e.g., homoserine, norleucine, methioninesulfoxide, methionine methyl sulfonium. Such analogs have modified Rgroups (e.g., norleucine) or modified peptide backbones, but retain thesame basic chemical structure as a naturally-occurring amino acid. Aminoacid mimetics refers to chemical compounds that have a structure that isdifferent from the general chemical structure of an amino acid, but thatfunctions in a manner similar to a naturally-occurring amino acid. Aminoacids can be referred to herein by either their commonly known threeletter symbols or by the one-letter symbols recommended by the IUPAC-IUBBiochemical Nomenclature Commission.

As used herein, the term “effective amount” refers to a quantitysufficient to achieve a desired therapeutic and/or prophylactic effect,e.g., an amount which results in the decrease of (e.g., normalizationof) expression levels of e.g., MLCL AT 1 or ALCAT1 and/or the increaseof (e.g., normalization of) expression levels of e.g., TAZ1 in a subjectin need thereof. In the context of therapeutic or prophylacticapplications, in some embodiments, the amount of a compositionadministered to the subject will depend on the type and severity of thedisease and on the characteristics of the individual, such as generalhealth, age, sex, body weight and tolerance to drugs. In someembodiments, it will also depend on the degree, severity and type ofdisease. The skilled artisan will be able to determine appropriatedosages depending on these and other factors. The compositions can alsobe administered in combination with one or more additional therapeuticcompounds. In the methods described herein, the aromatic-cationicpeptides may be administered to a subject having one or more signs orsymptoms or risk factors of heart failure, such as cardiomegaly,tachypnea, and hepatomegaly. For example, in some embodiments, a“therapeutically effective amount” of the aromatic-cationic peptidesincludes levels in which the expression of MLCL AT1 or ALCAT1 is reducedin a subject in need thereof after administration. Additionally oralternatively, in some embodiments, a therapeutically effective amountof an aromatic-cationic peptide includes levels in which the expressionof TAZ1 is increased in a subject in need thereof after administration.In some embodiments, a therapeutically effective amount also reduces orameliorates the physiological effects of a heart failure and/or the riskfactors of heart failure, and/or the likelihood of heart failure.

As used herein, the term “heart failure” encompasses all forms of heartfailure, including but not limited to, e.g., “congestive heart failure”(CHF), “chronic heart failure,” and “acute heart failure.” As usedherein, the term encompasses both sporadic and genetic forms of heartfailure. As is known in the art, heart failure is typicallycharacterized by abnormally low cardiac output in which the heart isunable to pump blood at an adequate rate or in adequate volume. When theheart is unable to adequately pump blood to the rest of the body, orwhen one or more of the heart valves becomes stenotic or otherwiseincompetent, blood can back up into the lungs, causing the lungs tobecome congested with fluid. If this backward flow occurs over anextended period of time, heart failure can result. Typical symptoms ofheart failure include shortness of breath (dyspnea), fatigue, weakness,difficulty breathing when lying flat, and swelling of the legs, anklesor abdomen (edema). Causes of heart failure may be related to variousdisorders including coronary artery disease, systemic hypertension,cardiomyopathy or myocarditis, congenital heart disease, abnormal heartvalves or valvular heart disease, severe lung disease, diabetes, severeanemia hyperthyroidism, arrhythmia or dysrhythmia and myocardialinfarction. The primary signs of congestive heart failure arecardiomegaly (enlarged heart), tachypnea (rapid breathing; occurs in thecase of left side failure) and hepatomegaly (enlarged liver; occurs inthe case of right side failure).

As used herein, the term “hypertensive cardiomyopathy” refers to acondition characterized by a weakened heart caused by the effects ofhypertension (high blood pressure). Over time, uncontrolled hypertensioncauses weakness of the heart muscle. As hypertensive cardiomyopathyworsens, it can lead to congestive heart failure. Early symptoms ofhypertensive cardiomyopathy include cough, weakness, and fatigue.Additional symptoms of hypertensive cardiomyopathy include leg swelling,weight gain, difficulty breathing when lying flat, increasing shortnessof breath with activity, and waking in the middle of the night short ofbreath.

As used herein, “isolated” or “purified” polypeptide or peptide issubstantially free of cellular material or other contaminatingpolypeptides from the cell or tissue source from which the agent isderived, or substantially free from chemical precursors or otherchemicals when chemically synthesized. For example, an isolatedaromatic-cationic peptide would be free of materials that wouldinterfere with diagnostic or therapeutic uses of the agent. Suchinterfering materials may include enzymes, hormones and otherproteinaceous and nonproteinaceous solutes.

As used herein, “assessing cardiolipin remodeling” refers to determiningwhether and to what extent cardiolipin remodeling is defective in aparticular subject as compared to a normal control subject. Cardiolipinremodeling may be assessed using methods known in the art as describedherein, such as by measuring levels of cardiolipin remodeling enzymesand/or cardiolipin isoforms present in a biological sample from asubject. In some embodiments, the levels of TAZ1, MLCL AT1, or ALCAT1mRNAs are measured. In some embodiments, the level of the 18:2cardiolipin isoform is measured. One of skill in the art will understandthat cardiolipin remodeling measurements for a particular subject areuseful when compared to results for a normal control subject, or incertain contexts, to previous results obtained for the same subject. Forexample, for methods of diagnosing heart failure, comparison to a normalcontrol subject particularly valuable. For methods of monitoringtreatment of heart failure, comparison to results previously obtainedfor a particular subject, where available, in addition to the normalcontrol subject is valuable.

As used herein, the term “biological sample” refers to a sample from thesubject, and includes any bodily fluids, exudates, tissues or cells.Non-limiting examples include blood, plasma, serum, urine, tears,sputum, stool, saliva, nasal swabs, cells such as, but not limited toperipheral blood mononuclear cells (PCMBs), leukocytes, and tissuesamples (e.g., biopsie samples). Samples can be fresh, frozen, orotherwise treated or preserved for evaluation by the methods disclosedherein. In some embodiments, levels of TAZ1, MLCL AT1, or ALCAT1 and/orlevels and/or isoforms of cardiolipin are determined by assaying abiological sample from a subject.

As used herein, a “normalized” or “normal” expression level (e.g., RNAand/or protein level) of TAZ1, MLCL AT1, or ALCAT1 refers to reducing asubject's MLCL AT1 or ALCAT1 expression level and/or raising a subject'sTAZ1 expression level to the subject's baseline expression level orbaseline range. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments,normalized or normal expression refers to reducing the subject's MLCLAT1 or ALCAT1 expression and/or raising the TAZ1 expression to a levelor range determined as “normal” or “control” level, e.g., via controlstudies and/or control sampling of the subject over time, or of anappropriate population (e.g., matched by age, ethnicity, disease state,drug treatment regime, weight, sex, etc.). As used herein “controllevel” refers to a level considered average or normal for the subject,or for an appropriate population of subjects.

As used herein “reducing” a subject's MLCL AT1 or ALCAT1 expressionlevel (e.g., RNA and/or protein) means lowering the level of MLCL AT1 orALCAT1 in the subject (e.g., a subject's MLCL AT1 level in leftventricular myocardium). In some embodiments, reducing MLCL AT1 orALCAT1 expression level includes a reduction by about 1%, about 5%,about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, about 35%, about40%, about 45%, about 50%, about 55%, about 60%, about 65%, about 70%,about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 95%, or more.Alternatively, or additionally, in some embodiments, reducing MLCL AT1or ALCAT1 expression level includes a reduction measured as about 1.1fold to about 1.5 fold reduction, or about 1.5 fold to about 2.0 foldreduction, or about 2.0 fold to about 2.5 fold reduction, or about 2.5fold to about 3.0 fold reduction.

As used herein “increasing” a subject's TAZ1 expression level meansincreasing the level of TAZ1 in the subject (e.g., a subject's TAZ1expression level in left ventricular myocardium). In some embodiments,increasing TAZ1 expression level is an increase by about 1%, about 5%,about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, about 35%, about40%, about 45%, about 50%, about 55%, about 60%, about 65%, about 70%,about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 95%, or more, e.g.,from a baseline or control level. Alternatively, or additionally, insome embodiments, increasing TAZ1 expression level is measured asattenuating the reduction of TAZ1 by about 0.25 fold to about 0.5 fold,or about 0.5 fold to about 0.75 fold, or about 0.75 fold to about 1.0fold, or about 1.0 fold to about 1.5 fold, e.g., as compared to abaseline or control level.

As used herein, the tei ins “polypeptide,” “peptide,” and “protein” areused interchangeably herein to mean a polymer comprising two or moreamino acids joined to each other by peptide bonds or modified peptidebonds, i.e., peptide isosteres. Polypeptide refers to both short chains,commonly referred to as peptides, glycopeptides or oligomers, and tolonger chains, generally referred to as proteins. Polypeptides maycontain amino acids other than the 20 gene-encoded amino acids.Polypeptides include amino acid sequences modified either by naturalprocesses, such as post-translational processing, or by chemicalmodification techniques that are well known in the art.

As used herein, the term “simultaneous” therapeutic use refers to theadministration of at least two active ingredients by the same route andat the same time or at substantially the same time.

As used herein, the term “separate” therapeutic use refers to anadministration of at least two active ingredients at the same time or atsubstantially the same time by different routes.

As used herein, the term “sequential” therapeutic use refers toadministration of at least two active ingredients at different times,the administration route being identical or different. Moreparticularly, sequential use refers to the whole administration of oneof the active ingredients before administration of the other or otherscommences. It is thus possible to administer one of the activeingredients over several minutes, hours, or days before administeringthe other active ingredient or ingredients. There is no simultaneoustreatment in this case.

As used herein, the terms “treating” or “treatment” or “alleviation”refers to therapeutic treatment, wherein the object is to reduce or slowdown (lessen) or eliminate the targeted pathologic condition ordisorder. By way of example, but not by way of limitation, a subject issuccessfully “treated” for heart failure if, after receiving atherapeutic amount of an aromatic-cationic peptide according to themethods described herein, the subject shows observable and/or measurablereduction in or absence of one or more signs and symptoms of heartfailure, such as, e.g., cardiac output, myocardial contractile force,cardiomegaly, tachonea, and/or hepahemogaly. It is also to beappreciated that the various modes of treatment or prevention of medicalconditions as described are intended to mean “substantial,” whichincludes total but also less than total treatment or prevention, andwherein some biologically or medically relevant result is achieved. Insome embodiments, treating heart failure, as used herein, also refers totreating any one or more of the conditions underlying heart failure,including, without limitation, decreased cardiac contractility, abnormaldiastolic compliance, reduced stroke volume, pulmonary congestion, anddecreased cardiac output. In some embodiments, “treatment” includes areduction in MLCL AT1 or ALCAT1 expression and/or an increase in TAZ1expression in those subjects having higher than a control or “normal”level of MLCL AT1 or ALCAT1 expression and/or a lower than a control or“normal” level of TAZ1.

As used herein, “prevention” or “preventing” of a disorder or conditionrefers to a compound that, in a statistical sample, reduces theoccurrence of the disorder or condition in the treated sample relativeto an untreated control sample, or delays the onset or reduces theseverity of one or more symptoms of the disorder or condition relativeto the untreated control sample. As used herein, preventing heartfailure includes preventing the initiation of heart failure, delayingthe initiation of heart failure, preventing the progression oradvancement of heart failure, slowing the progression or advancement ofheart failure, delaying the progression or advancement of heart failure.As used herein, prevention of heart failure also includes preventing arecurrence of heart failure.

Aromatic-Cationic Peptides

The present technology relates to decreasing the expression of MLCL AT1or ALCAT1 and/or increasing the expression of TAZ1 in a subject in needthereof, by administering aromatic-cationic peptides as disclosedherein. In some embodiments, decreasing the expression of MLCL AT1 orALCAT1 and/or increasing the expression of TAZ1 is useful for thetreatment or prevention of heart failure and related conditions,reducing risk factors associated with heart failure, and/or reducing thelikelihood (risk) or severity of heart failure in the subject.

The aromatic-cationic peptides are water-soluble and highly polar.Despite these properties, the peptides can readily penetrate cellmembranes. The aromatic-cationic peptides typically include a minimum ofthree amino acids or a minimum of four amino acids, covalently joined bypeptide bonds. The maximum number of amino acids present in thearomatic-cationic peptides is about twenty amino acids covalently joinedby peptide bonds. Suitably, the maximum number of amino acids is abouttwelve, more preferably about nine, and most preferably about six.

The amino acids of the aromatic-cationic peptides can be any amino acid.As used herein, the term “amino acid” is used to refer to any organicmolecule that contains at least one amino group and at least onecarboxyl group. Typically, at least one amino group is at the a positionrelative to a carboxyl group. The amino acids may be naturallyoccurring. Naturally occurring amino acids include, for example, thetwenty most common levorotatory (L) amino acids normally found inmammalian proteins, i.e., alanine (Ala), arginine (Arg), asparagine(Asn), aspartic acid (Asp), cysteine (Cys), glutamine (Gln), glutamicacid (Glu), glycine (Gly), histidine (His), isoleucine (Ile), leucine(Leu), lysine (Lys), methionine (Met), phenylalanine (Phe), proline(Pro), serine (Ser), threonine (Thr), tryptophan, (Trp), tyrosine (Tyr),and valine (Val). Other naturally occurring amino acids include, forexample, amino acids that are synthesized in metabolic processes notassociated with protein synthesis. For example, the amino acidsornithine and citrulline are synthesized in mammalian metabolism duringthe production of urea. Another example of a naturally occurring aminoacid includes hydroxyproline (Hyp).

The peptides optionally contain one or more non-naturally occurringamino acids. Optimally, the peptide has no amino acids that arenaturally occurring. The non-naturally occurring amino acids may belevorotary (L-), dextrorotatory (D-), or mixtures thereof. Non-naturallyoccurring amino acids are those amino acids that typically are notsynthesized in normal metabolic processes in living organisms, and donot naturally occur in proteins. In addition, the non-naturallyoccurring amino acids suitably are also not recognized by commonproteases. The non-naturally occurring amino acid can be present at anyposition in the peptide. For example, the non-naturally occurring aminoacid can be at the N-terminus, the C-terminus, or at any positionbetween the N-terminus and the C-terminus.

The non-natural amino acids may, for example, comprise alkyl, aryl, oralkylaryl groups not found in natural amino acids. Some examples ofnon-natural alkyl amino acids include α-aminobutyric acid,β-aminobutyric acid, γ-aminobutyric acid, δ-aminovaleric acid, andc-aminocaproic acid. Some examples of non-natural aryl amino acidsinclude ortho-, meta-, and para-aminobenzoic acid. Some examples ofnon-natural alkylaryl amino acids include ortho-, meta-, andpara-aminophenylacetic acid, and γ-phenyl-β-aminobutyric acid.Non-naturally occurring amino acids include derivatives of naturallyoccurring amino acids. The derivatives of naturally occurring aminoacids may, for example, include the addition of one or more chemicalgroups to the naturally occurring amino acid.

For example, one or more chemical groups can be added to one or more ofthe 2′, 3′, 4′, 5′, or 6′ position of the aromatic ring of aphenylalanine or tyrosine residue, or the 4′, 5′, 6′, or 7′ position ofthe benzo ring of a tryptophan residue. The group can be any chemicalgroup that can be added to an aromatic ring. Some examples of suchgroups include branched or unbranched C₁-C₄ alkyl, such as methyl,ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, or t-butyl, C₁-C₄ alkyloxy(i.e., alkoxy), amino, C₁-C₄ alkylamino and C₁-C₄ dialkylamino (e.g.,methylamino, dimethylamino), nitro, hydroxyl, halo (i.e., fluoro,chloro, bromo, or iodo). Some specific examples of non-naturallyoccurring derivatives of naturally occurring amino acids includenorvaline (Nva) and norleucine (Nle).

Another example of a modification of an amino acid in a peptide is thederivatization of a carboxyl group of an aspartic acid or a glutamicacid residue of the peptide. One example of derivatization is amidationwith ammonia or with a primary or secondary amine, e.g. methylamine,ethylamine, dimethylamine or diethylamine. Another example ofderivatization includes esterification with, for example, methyl orethyl alcohol. Another such modification includes derivatization of anamino group of a lysine, arginine, or histidine residue. For example,such amino groups can be acylated. Some suitable acyl groups include,for example, a benzoyl group or an alkanoyl group comprising any of theC₁-C₄ alkyl groups mentioned above, such as an acetyl or propionylgroup.

The non-naturally occurring amino acids are suitably resistant orinsensitive to common proteases. Examples of non-naturally occurringamino acids that are resistant or insensitive to proteases include thedextrorotatory (D-) form of any of the above-mentioned naturallyoccurring L-amino acids, as well as L- and/or D-non-naturally occurringamino acids. The D-amino acids do not normally occur in proteins,although they are found in certain peptide antibiotics that aresynthesized by means other than the normal ribosomal protein syntheticmachinery of the cell. As used herein, the D-amino acids are consideredto be non-naturally occurring amino acids.

In order to minimize protease sensitivity, the peptides should have lessthan five, preferably less than four, more preferably less than three,and most preferably, less than two contiguous L-amino acids recognizedby common proteases, irrespective of whether the amino acids arenaturally or non-naturally occurring. Optimally, the peptide has onlyD-amino acids, and no L-amino acids. If the peptide contains proteasesensitive sequences of amino acids, at least one of the amino acids ispreferably a non-naturally-occurring D-amino acid, thereby conferringprotease resistance. An example of a protease sensitive sequenceincludes two or more contiguous basic amino acids that are readilycleaved by common proteases, such as endopeptidases and trypsin.Examples of basic amino acids include arginine, lysine and histidine.

The aromatic-cationic peptides should have a minimum number of netpositive charges at physiological pH in comparison to the total numberof amino acid residues in the peptide. The minimum number of netpositive charges at physiological pH will be referred to below as(p_(m)). The total number of amino acid residues in the peptide will bereferred to below as (r). The minimum number of net positive chargesdiscussed below are all at physiological pH. The term “physiological pH”as used herein refers to the normal pH in the cells of the tissues andorgans of the mammalian body. For instance, the physiological pH of ahuman is normally approximately 7.4, but normal physiological pH inmammals may be any pH from about 7.0 to about 7.8.

“Net charge” as used herein refers to the balance of the number ofpositive charges and the number of negative charges carried by the aminoacids present in the peptide. In this specification, it is understoodthat net charges are measured at physiological pH. The naturallyoccurring amino acids that are positively charged at physiological pHinclude L-lysine, L-arginine, and L-histidine. The naturally occurringamino acids that are negatively charged at physiological pH includeL-aspartic acid and L-glutamic acid.

Typically, a peptide has a positively charged N-terminal amino group anda negatively charged C-terminal carboxyl group. The charges cancel eachother out at physiological pH. As an example of calculating net charge,the peptide Tyr-Arg-Phe-Lys-Glu-His-Trp-D-Arg has one negatively chargedamino acid (i.e., Glu) and four positively charged amino acids (i.e.,two Arg residues, one Lys, and one His). Therefore, the above peptidehas a net positive charge of three.

In one embodiment, the aromatic-cationic peptides have a relationshipbetween the minimum number of net positive charges at physiological pH(p_(m)) and the total number of amino acid residues (r) wherein 3p_(m)is the largest number that is less than or equal to r+1. In thisembodiment, the relationship between the minimum number of net positivecharges (p_(m)) and the total number of amino acid residues (r) is asfollows:

TABLE 1 Amino acid number and net positive charges (3p_(m) ≤ p + 1) (r)3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 (p_(m)) 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 44 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7

In another embodiment, the aromatic-cationic peptides have arelationship between the minimum number of net positive charges (p_(m))and the total number of amino acid residues (r) wherein 2p_(m) is thelargest number that is less than or equal to r+1. In this embodiment,the relationship between the minimum number of net positive charges(p_(m)) and the total number of amino acid residues (r) is as follows:

TABLE 2 Amino acid number and net positive charges (2p_(m) ≤ p + 1) (r)3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 (p_(m)) 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 66 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10

In one embodiment, the minimum number of net positive charges (p_(m))and the total number of amino acid residues (r) are equal. In anotherembodiment, the peptides have three or four amino acid residues and aminimum of one net positive charge, suitably, a minimum of two netpositive charges and more preferably a minimum of three net positivecharges.

It is also important that the aromatic-cationic peptides have a minimumnumber of aromatic groups in comparison to the total number of netpositive charges (p_(t)). The minimum number of aromatic groups will bereferred to below as (a). Naturally occurring amino acids that have anaromatic group include the amino acids histidine, tryptophan, tyrosine,and phenylalanine. For example, the hexapeptideLys-Gln-Tyr-D-Arg-Phe-Trp has a net positive charge of two (contributedby the lysine and arginine residues) and three aromatic groups(contributed by tyrosine, phenylalanine and tryptophan residues).

The aromatic-cationic peptides should also have a relationship betweenthe minimum number of aromatic groups (a) and the total number of netpositive charges at physiological pH (p_(t)) wherein 3a is the largestnumber that is less than or equal to p_(t)+1, except that when p_(t) is1, a may also be 1. In this embodiment, the relationship between theminimum number of aromatic groups (a) and the total number of netpositive charges (p_(t)) is as follows:

TABLE 3 Aromatic groups and net positive charges (3a ≤ p_(t) + 1 or a =p_(t) = 1) (p_(t)) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20(a) 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7

In another embodiment, the aromatic-cationic peptides have arelationship between the minimum number of aromatic groups (a) and thetotal number of net positive charges (p_(t)) wherein 2a is the largestnumber that is less than or equal to p_(t)+1. In this embodiment, therelationship between the minimum number of aromatic amino acid residues(a) and the total number of net positive charges (p_(t)) is as follows:

TABLE 4 Aromatic groups and net positive charges (2a ≤ p_(t) + 1 or a =p_(t) = 1) (p_(t)) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20(a) 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10

In another embodiment, the number of aromatic groups (a) and the totalnumber of net positive charges (p_(t)) are equal.

Carboxyl groups, especially the terminal carboxyl group of a C-terminalamino acid, are suitably amidated with, for example, ammonia to form theC-terminal amide. Alternatively, the terminal carboxyl group of theC-terminal amino acid may be amidated with any primary or secondaryamine. The primary or secondary amine may, for example, be an alkyl,especially a branched or unbranched C₁-C₄ alkyl, or an aryl amine.Accordingly, the amino acid at the C-terminus of the peptide may beconverted to an amido, N-methylamido, N-ethylamido, N,N-dimethylamido,N,N-diethylamido, N-methyl-N-ethylamido, N-phenylamido orN-phenyl-N-ethylamido group. The free carboxylate groups of theasparagine, glutamine, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid residues notoccurring at the C-terminus of the aromatic-cationic peptides may alsobe amidated wherever they occur within the peptide. The amidation atthese internal positions may be with ammonia or any of the primary orsecondary amines described above.

In one embodiment, the aromatic-cationic peptide is a tripeptide havingtwo net positive charges and at least one aromatic amino acid. In aparticular embodiment, the aromatic-cationic peptide is a tripeptidehaving two net positive charges and two aromatic amino acids.

Aromatic-cationic peptides include, but are not limited to, thefollowing peptide examples:

TABLE 5 EXEMPLARY PEPTIDES 2′,6′-Dmp-D-Arg-2′,6′-Dmt-Lys-NH₂2′,6′-Dmp-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH₂ 2′,6′-Dmt-D-Arg-PheOrn-NH₂2′,6′-Dmt-D-Arg-Phe-Ahp(2-aminoheptanoicacid)-NH₂2′,6′-Dmt-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH₂ 2′,6′-Dmt-D-Cit-PheLys-NH₂Ala-D-Phe-D-Arg-Tyr-Lys-D-Trp-His-D-Tyr-Gly-PheArg-D-Leu-D-Tyr-Phe-Lys-Glu-D-Lys-Arg-D-Trp-Lys-D-Phe-Tyr-D- Arg-GlyAsp-Arg-D-Phe-Cys-Phe-D-Arg-D-Lys-Tyr-Arg-D-Tyr-Trp-D-His-Tyr-D-Phe-Lys-Phe Asp-D-Trp-Lys-Tyr-D-His-Phe-Arg-D-Gly-Lys-NH₂D-Arg-2′,6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂D-Glu-Asp-Lys-D-Arg-D-His-Phe-Phe-D-Val-Tyr-Arg-Tyr-D-Tyr-Arg-His-Phe-NH₂ D-His-Glu-Lys-Tyr-D-Phe-ArgD-His-Lys-Tyr-D-Phe-Glu-D-Asp-D-Asp-D-His-D-Lys-Arg-Trp-NH₂D-Tyr-Trp-Lys-NH₂Glu-Arg-D-Lys-Tyr-D-Val-Phe-D-His-Trp-Arg-D-Gly-Tyr-Arg-D-Met- NH₂Gly-Ala-Lys-Phe-D-Lys-Glu-Arg-Tyr-His-D-Arg-D-Arg-Asp-Tyr-Trp-D-His-Trp-His-D-Lys-Asp. Gly-D-Phe-Lys-His-D-Arg-Tyr-NH₂His-Tyr-D-Arg-Trp-Lys-Phe-D-Asp-Ala-Arg-Cys-D-Tyr-His-Phe-D-Lys-Tyr-His-Ser-NH₂ Lys-D-Arg-Tyr-NH₂ Lys-D-Gln-Tyr-Arg-D-Phe-Trp-NH₂Lys-Trp-D-Tyr-Arg-Asn-Phe-Tyr-D-His-NH₂ Met-Tyr-D-Arg-Phe-Arg-NH₂Met-Tyr-D-Lys-Phe-Arg Phe-Arg-D-His-Asp Phe-D-Arg-2′,6′-Dmt-Lys-NH₂Phe-D-Arg-His Phe-D-Arg-Lys-Trp-Tyr-D-Arg-His Phe-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH₂Phe-Phe-D-Tyr-Arg-Glu-Asp-D-Lys-Arg-D-Arg-His-Phe-NH₂Phe-Tyr-Lys-D-Arg-Trp-His-D-Lys-D-Lys-Glu-Arg-D-Tyr-ThrThr-Gly-Tyr-Arg-D-His-Phe-Trp-D-His-LysThr-Tyr-Arg-D-Lys-Trp-Tyr-Glu-Asp-D-Lys-D-Arg-His-Phe-D-Tyr-Gly-Val-Ile-D-His-Arg-Tyr-Lys-NH₂ Trp-D-Lys-Tyr-Arg-NH₂Trp-Lys-Phe-D-Asp-Arg-Tyr-D-His-LysTyr-Asp-D-Lys-Tyr-Phe-D-Lys-D-Arg-Phe-Pro-D-Tyr-His-LysTyr-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-Glu-NH₂ Tyr-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH₂Tyr-D-His-Phe-D-Arg-Asp-Lys-D-Arg-His-Trp-D-His-Phe Tyr-His-D-Gly-MetVal-D-Lys-His-Tyr-D-Phe-Ser-Tyr-Arg-NH₂

In one embodiment, the peptides have mu-opioid receptor agonist activity(i.e., they activate the mu-opioid receptor). Peptides, which havemu-opioid receptor agonist activity, are typically those peptides thathave a tyrosine residue or a tyrosine derivative at the N-terminus(i.e., the first amino acid position). Suitable derivatives of tyrosineinclude 2′-methyltyrosine (Mmt); 2′,6′-dimethyltyrosine (2′6′-Dmt);3′,5′-dimethyltyrosine (3′5′Dmt); N,2′,6′-trimethyltyrosine (Tmt); and2′-hydroxy-6′-methyltryosine (Hmt).

In one embodiment, a peptide that has mu-opioid receptor agonistactivity has the formula Tyr-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH₂. Tyr-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH₂has a net positive charge of three, contributed by the amino acidstyrosine, arginine, and lysine and has two aromatic groups contributedby the amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine. The tyrosine ofTyr-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH₂ can be a modified derivative of tyrosine such asin 2′,6′-dimethyltyrosine to produce the compound having the formula2′,6′-Dmt-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH₂. 2′,6′-Dmt-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH₂ has a molecularweight of 640 and carries a net three positive charge at physiologicalpH. 2′,6′-Dmt-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH₂ readily penetrates the plasma membraneof several mammalian cell types in an energy-independent manner (Zhao etal., J. Pharmacol Exp Ther., 304:425-432, 2003).

Alternatively, in other instances, the aromatic-cationic peptide doesnot have mu-opioid receptor agonist activity. For example, duringlong-term treatment, such as in a chronic disease state or condition,the use of an aromatic-cationic peptide that activates the mu-opioidreceptor may be contraindicated. In these instances, the potentiallyadverse or addictive effects of the aromatic-cationic peptide maypreclude the use of an aromatic-cationic peptide that activates themu-opioid receptor in the treatment regimen of a human patient or othermammal. Potential adverse effects may include sedation, constipation andrespiratory depression. In such instances an aromatic-cationic peptidethat does not activate the mu-opioid receptor may be an appropriatetreatment. Peptides that do not have mu-opioid receptor agonist activitygenerally do not have a tyrosine residue or a derivative of tyrosine atthe N-terminus (i.e., amino acid position 1). The amino acid at theN-terminus can be any naturally occurring or non-naturally occurringamino acid other than tyrosine. In one embodiment, the amino acid at theN-terminus is phenylalanine or its derivative. Exemplary derivatives ofphenylalanine include 2′-methylphenylalanine (Mmp),2′,6′-dimethylphenylalanine (2′,6′-Dmp), N,2′,6′-trimethylphenylalanine(Tmp), and 2′-hydroxy-6′-methylphenylalanine (Hmp).

An example of an aromatic-cationic peptide that does not have mu-opioidreceptor agonist activity has the formula Phe-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH₂.Alternatively, the N-terminal phenylalanine can be a derivative ofphenylalanine such as 2′,6′-dimethylphenylalanine (2′6′-Dmp).Tyr-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH₂ containing 2′,6′-dimethylphenylalanine at aminoacid position 1 has the formula 2′,6′-Dmp-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH₂. In oneembodiment, the amino acid sequence of 2′,6′-Dmt-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH₂ isrearranged such that Dmt is not at the N-terminus. An example of such anaromatic-cationic peptide that does not have mu-opioid receptor agonistactivity has the formula D-Arg-2′6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂.

Suitable substitution variants of the peptides listed herein includeconservative amino acid substitutions. Amino acids may be groupedaccording to their physicochemical characteristics as follows:

(a) Non-polar amino acids: Ala(A) Ser(S) Thr(T) Pro(P) Gly(G) Cys (C);

(b) Acidic amino acids: Asn(N) Asp(D) Glu(E) Gln(Q);

(c) Basic amino acids: His(H) Arg(R) Lys(K);

(d) Hydrophobic amino acids: Met(M) Leu(L) Ile(I) Val(V); and

(e) Aromatic amino acids: Phe(F) Tyr(Y) Trp(W) His (H).

Substitutions of an amino acid in a peptide by another amino acid in thesame group is referred to as a conservative substitution and maypreserve the physicochemical characteristics of the original peptide. Incontrast, substitutions of an amino acid in a peptide by another aminoacid in a different group is generally more likely to alter thecharacteristics of the original peptide.

Examples of peptides that activate mu-opioid receptors include, but arenot limited to, the aromatic-cationic peptides shown in Table 6.

TABLE 6 Peptide Analogs with Mu-Opioid Activity Amino Amino Amino AcidAcid Acid Amino Acid C-Terminal Position 1 Position 2 Position 3Position 4 Modification Tyr D-Arg Phe Lys NH₂ Tyr D-Arg Phe Orn NH₂ TyrD-Arg Phe Dab NH₂ Tyr D-Arg Phe Dap NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Arg Phe Lys NH₂2′6′Dmt D-Arg Phe Lys-NH(CH₂)₂—NH- NH₂ dns 2′6′Dmt D-Arg PheLys-NH(CH₂)₂—NH- NH₂ atn 2′6′Dmt D-Arg Phe dnsLys NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Cit PheLys NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Cit Phe Ahp NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Arg Phe Orn NH₂ 2′6′DmtD-Arg Phe Dab NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Arg Phe Dap NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Arg PheAhp(2-aminoheptanoic NH₂ acid) Bio- D-Arg Phe Lys NH₂ 2′6′Dmt 3′5′DmtD-Arg Phe Lys NH₂ 3′5′Dmt D-Arg Phe Orn NH₂ 3′5′Dmt D-Arg Phe Dab NH₂3′5′Dmt D-Arg Phe Dap NH₂ Tyr D-Arg Tyr Lys NH₂ Tyr D-Arg Tyr Orn NH₂Tyr D-Arg Tyr Dab NH₂ Tyr D-Arg Tyr Dap NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Arg Tyr Lys NH₂2′6′Dmt D-Arg Tyr Orn NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Arg Tyr Dab NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Arg TyrDap NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Arg 2′6′Dmt Lys NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Arg 2′6′Dmt Orn NH₂2′6′Dmt D-Arg 2′6′Dmt Dab NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Arg 2′6′Dmt Dap NH₂ 3′5′DmtD-Arg 3′5′Dmt Arg NH₂ 3′5′Dmt D-Arg 3′5′Dmt Lys NH₂ 3′5′Dmt D-Arg3′5′Dmt Orn NH₂ 3′5′Dmt D-Arg 3′5′Dmt Dab NH₂ Tyr D-Lys Phe Dap NH₂ TyrD-Lys Phe Arg NH₂ Tyr D-Lys Phe Lys NH₂ Tyr D-Lys Phe Orn NH₂ 2′6′DmtD-Lys Phe Dab NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Lys Phe Dap NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Lys Phe Arg NH₂2′6′Dmt D-Lys Phe Lys NH₂ 3′5′Dmt D-Lys Phe Orn NH₂ 3′5′Dmt D-Lys PheDab NH₂ 3′5′Dmt D-Lys Phe Dap NH₂ 3′5′Dmt D-Lys Phe Arg NH₂ Tyr D-LysTyr Lys NH₂ Tyr D-Lys Tyr Orn NH₂ Tyr D-Lys Tyr Dab NH₂ Tyr D-Lys TyrDap NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Lys Tyr Lys NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Lys Tyr Orn NH₂ 2′6′DmtD-Lys Tyr Dab NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Lys Tyr Dap NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Lys 2′6′Dmt LysNH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Lys 2′6′Dmt Orn NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Lys 2′6′Dmt Dab NH₂ 2′6′DmtD-Lys 2′6′Dmt Dap NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Arg Phe dnsDap NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Arg PheatnDap NH₂ 3′5′Dmt D-Lys 3′5′Dmt Lys NH₂ 3′5′Dmt D-Lys 3′5′Dmt Orn NH₂3′5′Dmt D-Lys 3′5′Dmt Dab NH₂ 3′5′Dmt D-Lys 3′5′Dmt Dap NH₂ Tyr D-LysPhe Arg NH₂ Tyr D-Orn Phe Arg NH₂ Tyr D-Dab Phe Arg NH₂ Tyr D-Dap PheArg NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Arg Phe Arg NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Lys Phe Arg NH₂ 2′6′DmtD-Orn Phe Arg NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Dab Phe Arg NH₂ 3′5′Dmt D-Dap Phe Arg NH₂3′5′Dmt D-Arg Phe Arg NH₂ 3′5′Dmt D-Lys Phe Arg NH₂ 3′5′Dmt D-Orn PheArg NH₂ Tyr D-Lys Tyr Arg NH₂ Tyr D-Orn Tyr Arg NH₂ Tyr D-Dab Tyr ArgNH₂ Tyr D-Dap Tyr Arg NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Arg 2′6′Dmt Arg NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Lys2′6′Dmt Arg NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Orn 2′6′Dmt Arg NH₂ 2′6′Dmt D-Dab 2′6′Dmt ArgNH₂ 3′5′Dmt D-Dap 3′5′Dmt Arg NH₂ 3′5′Dmt D-Arg 3′5′Dmt Arg NH₂ 3′5′DmtD-Lys 3′5′Dmt Arg NH₂ 3′5′Dmt D-Orn 3′5′Dmt Arg NH₂ Mmt D-Arg Phe LysNH₂ Mmt D-Arg Phe Orn NH₂ Mmt D-Arg Phe Dab NH₂ Mmt D-Arg Phe Dap NH₂Tmt D-Arg Phe Lys NH₂ Tmt D-Arg Phe Orn NH₂ Tmt D-Arg Phe Dab NH₂ TmtD-Arg Phe Dap NH₂ Hmt D-Arg Phe Lys NH₂ Hmt D-Arg Phe Orn NH₂ Hmt D-ArgPhe Dab NH₂ Hmt D-Arg Phe Dap NH₂ Mmt D-Lys Phe Lys NH₂ Mmt D-Lys PheOrn NH₂ Mmt D-Lys Phe Dab NH₂ Mmt D-Lys Phe Dap NH₂ Mmt D-Lys Phe ArgNH₂ Tmt D-Lys Phe Lys NH₂ Tmt D-Lys Phe Orn NH₂ Tmt D-Lys Phe Dab NH₂Tmt D-Lys Phe Dap NH₂ Tmt D-Lys Phe Arg NH₂ Hmt D-Lys Phe Lys NH₂ HmtD-Lys Phe Orn NH₂ Hmt D-Lys Phe Dab NH₂ Hmt D-Lys Phe Dap NH₂ Hmt D-LysPhe Arg NH₂ Mmt D-Lys Phe Arg NH₂ Mmt D-Orn Phe Arg NH₂ Mmt D-Dab PheArg NH₂ Mmt D-Dap Phe Arg NH₂ Mmt D-Arg Phe Arg NH₂ Tmt D-Lys Phe ArgNH₂ Tmt D-Orn Phe Arg NH₂ Tmt D-Dab Phe Arg NH₂ Tmt D-Dap Phe Arg NH₂Tmt D-Arg Phe Arg NH₂ Hmt D-Lys Phe Arg NH₂ Hmt D-Orn Phe Arg NH₂ HmtD-Dab Phe Arg NH₂ Hmt D-Dap Phe Arg NH₂ Hmt D-Arg Phe Arg NH₂ Dab =diaminobutyric Dap = diaminopropionic acid Dmt = dimethyltyrosine Mmt =2′-methyltyrosine Tmt = N,2′,6′-trimethyltyrosine Hmt =2′-hydroxy,6′-methyltyrosine dnsDap = β-dansyl-L-α,β-diaminopropionicacid atnDap = β-anthraniloyl-L-α,β-diaminopropionic acid Bio = biotin

Examples of peptides that do not activate mu-opioid receptors include,but are not limited to, the aromatic-cationic peptides shown in Table 7.

TABLE 7 Peptide Analogs Lacking Mu-Opioid Activity Amino Amino AminoAmino Acid Acid Acid Acid C-Terminal Position 1 Position 2 Position 3Position 4 Modification D-Arg Dmt Lys Phe NH₂ D-Arg Dmt Phe Lys NH₂D-Arg Phe Lys Dmt NH₂ D-Arg Phe Dmt Lys NH₂ D-Arg Lys Dmt Phe NH₂ D-ArgLys Phe Dmt NH₂ Phe Lys Dmt D-Arg NH₂ Phe Lys D-Arg Dmt NH₂ Phe D-ArgPhe Lys NH₂ Phe D-Arg Dmt Lys NH₂ Phe D-Arg Lys Dmt NH₂ Phe Dmt D-ArgLys NH₂ Phe Dmt Lys D-Arg NH₂ Lys Phe D-Arg Dmt NH₂ Lys Phe Dmt D-ArgNH₂ Lys Dmt D-Arg Phe NH₂ Lys Dmt Phe D-Arg NH₂ Lys D-Arg Phe Dmt NH₂Lys D-Arg Dmt Phe NH₂ D-Arg Dmt D-Arg Phe NH₂ D-Arg Dmt D-Arg Dmt NH₂D-Arg Dmt D-Arg Tyr NH₂ D-Arg Dmt D-Arg Trp NH₂ Trp D-Arg Phe Lys NH₂Trp D-Arg Tyr Lys NH₂ Trp D-Arg Trp Lys NH₂ Trp D-Arg Dmt Lys NH₂ D-ArgTrp Lys Phe NH₂ D-Arg Trp Phe Lys NH₂ D-Arg Trp Lys Dmt NH₂ D-Arg TrpDmt Lys NH₂ D-Arg Lys Trp Phe NH₂ D-Arg Lys Trp Dmt NH₂ Cha D-Arg PheLys NH₂ Ala D-Arg Phe Lys NH₂ Cha = cyclohexyl alanine

The amino acids of the peptides shown in the tables above may be ineither the L- or the D-configuration.

The peptides may be synthesized by any of the methods well known in theart. Suitable methods for chemically synthesizing the protein include,for example, those described by Stuart and Young in Solid Phase PeptideSynthesis, Second Edition, Pierce Chemical Company (1984), and inMethods Enzymol., 289, Academic Press, Inc, New York (1997).

Cardiolipin Remodeling

Cardiolipin (cardiolipin) is an important component of the innermitochondrial membrane, where it constitutes about 20% of the totallipid composition. In mammalian cells, cardiolipin is found almostexclusively in the inner mitochondrial membrane where it is essentialfor the optimal function of enzymes involved in mitochondrialmetabolism.

Cardiolipin is a species of diphosphatidylglycerol lipid comprising twophosphatidylglycerols connected with a glycerol backbone to form adimeric structure. It has four alkyl groups and potentially carries twonegative charges. As there are four distinct alkyl chains incardiolipin, the molecule has the potential for great complexity.However, in most animal tissues, cardiolipin contains 18-carbon fattyalkyl chains with 2 unsaturated bonds on each of them. It has beenproposed that the (18:2) in the four acyl chain configuration is animportant structural requirement for the high affinity of cardiolipin toinner membrane proteins in mammalian mitochondria. However, studies withisolated enzyme preparations indicate that its importance may varydepending on the protein examined.

Each of the two phosphates in the molecule can capture one proton.Although it has a symmetric structure, ionization of one phosphatehappens at different levels of acidity than ionizing both, with pK1=3and pK2>7.5. Hence, under normal physiological conditions (a pH ofapproximately 7.0), the molecule may carry only one negative charge.Hydroxyl groups (—OH and —O—) on the phosphate form stableintramolecular hydrogen bonds, forming a bicyclic resonance structure.This structure traps one proton, which is conducive to oxidativephosphorylation.

During the oxidative phosphorylation process catalyzed by Complex IV,large quantities of protons are transferred from one side of themembrane to another side causing a large pH change. Without wishing tobe bound by theory, it has been suggested that cardiolipin functions asa proton trap within the mitochondrial membranes, strictly localizingthe proton pool and minimizing pH in the mitochondrial intermembranespace. This function is thought to be due to the unique structure ofcardiolipin, which, as described above, can trap a proton within thebicyclic structure while carrying a negative charge. Thus, cardiolipincan serve as an electron buffer pool to release or absorb protons tomaintain the pH near the mitochondrial membranes.

In addition, cardiolipin has been shown to play a role in apoptosis. Anearly event in the apoptosis cascade involves cardiolipin. As discussedin more detail below, a cardiolipin-specific oxygenase producescardiolipin-hydroperoxides which causes the lipid to undergo aconformational change. The oxidized cardiolipin then translocates fromthe inner mitochondrial membrane to the outer mitochondrial membranewhere it is thought to form a pore through which cytochrome c isreleased into the cytosol. Cytochrome c can bind to the IP3 receptorstimulating calcium release, which further promotes the release ofcytochrome c. When the cytoplasmic calcium concentration reaches a toxiclevel, the cell dies. In addition, extra-mitochondrial cytochrome cinteracts with apoptotic activating factors, causing the formation ofapoptosomal complexes and activation of the proteolytic caspase cascade.

Other roles proposed for cardiolipin are: 1) participation instabilization of the physical properties of the membrane (Schlame etal., 2000; Koshkin and Greenberg, 2002; Ma et al., 2004), for example,membrane fluidity and osmotic stability and 2) participation in proteinfunction via direct interaction with membrane proteins (Schlame et al.,2000; Palsdottir and Hunte, 2004). Cardiolipin has been found in tightassociation with inner membrane protein complexes such as the cytochromebcl complex (complex III). As well, it has been localized to the contactsites of dimeric cytochrome c oxidase, and cardiolipin binding siteshave also been found in the ADP/ATP carrier (AAC; for review seePalsdottir and Hunte, 2004). Recent work also suggests a role ofcardiolipin in formation of respiratory chain supercomplexes(respirasomes).

The major tetra-acyl molecular species are 18:2 in each of the fourfatty acyl positions of the cardiolipin molecule (referred to as the18:2-18:2-18:2-18:2 cardiolipin species). Remodeling of cardiolipin isessential to obtain this enrichment of cardiolipin with linoleatebecause cardiolipin synthase has no molecular species substratespecificity for cytidine-5′-diphosphate-1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol. Inaddition, the species pattern of cardiolipin precursors is similarenough to imply that the enzymes of the cardiolipin synthetic pathwayare not molecular species-selective. Alterations in the molecularcomposition of cardiolipin are associated with various disease states.

Remodeling of cardiolipin occurs via at least three enzymes.Mitochondrial cardiolipin is remodeled by a deacylation-reacylationcycle in which newly synthesized cardiolipin is rapidly deacylated tomonolysocardiolipin (MLCL) and then reacylated back to cardiolipin. MLCLAT1 is responsible for the deacylation and ALCAT1 is responsible for thereacylation. In addition to these mitochondrial and microsomalacyltransferase activities, mitochondrial cardiolipin may be remodeledby a mitochondrial cardiolipin transacylase. Tafazzin (TAZ1) is acardiolipin transacylase that specifically remodels mitochondrialcardiolipin with linoleic acid.

Regulation of TAZ1

Tafazzin (TAZ1) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the TAZ gene.TAZ1 functions as a phospholipid-lysophospholipid transacylase. TAZ1 ishighly expressed in cardiac and skeletal muscle and is involved in themetabolism of cardiolipin.

TAZ1 is involved in the maintenance of the inner membrane ofmitochondria. These proteins are involved in maintaining levels ofcardiolipin, which is essential for energy production in themitochondria.

Some mutations in the TAZ gene cause a condition called X-linked dilatedcardiomyopathy. This is a condition in which the heart becomes soweakened and enlarged that it cannot pump blood efficiently, leading toheart failure. The decreased heart function can negatively affect manybody systems and lead to swelling in the legs and abdomen, fluid in thelungs, and an increased risk of blood clots.

Another mutation in the TAZ gene causes a condition called isolatednon-compaction of left ventricular myocardium (INVM). This conditionoccurs when the lower left chamber of the heart (left ventricle) doesnot develop correctly. The heart muscle is weakened and cannot pumpblood efficiently, often leading to heart failure. Sometimes abnormalheart rhythms (arrhythmias) can also occur.

Barth Syndrome is a heritable disorder of phospholipid metabolismcharacterized by dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), skeletal myopathy,neutropenia, growth delay and organic aciduria. The prevalence of BarthSyndrome is estimated at 1/454,000 live births, with an estimatedincidence ranging from 1/400,000 to 1/140,000 depending on geographiclocation. Barth Syndrome is an X-linked disorder, and sodisproportionately affects male patients.

Barth Syndrome is caused by mutations in the TAZ gene (tafazzin; Xq28).Defective TAZ1 function results in abnormal remodeling of cardiolipinand compromises mitochondrial structure and respiratory chain function.TAZ1 is expressed at high levels in cardiac and skeletal muscle and isinvolved in the maintenance of the inner membrane of mitochondria. TAZ1is involved in maintaining levels of cardiolipin, which is essential forenergy production in the mitochondria.

Clinical presentation of Barth Syndrome is highly variable. Mostsubjects develop DCM during the first decade of life, and typicallyduring the first year of life, which may be accompanied by endocardialfibroelastosis (EFE) and/or left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC). Themanifestations of Barth Syndrome may begin in utero, causing cardiacfailure, fetal hydrops and miscarriage or stillbirth during the 2nd/3rdtrimester of pregnancy. Ventricular arrhythmia, especially duringadolescence, can lead to sudden cardiac death. There is a significantrisk of stroke. Skeletal (mostly proximal) myopathy causes delayed motormilestones, hypotonia, severe lethargy or exercise intolerance. Here isa tendency to hypoglycemia during the neonatal period. Ninety percent ofpatients show mild to severe intermittent or persistent neutropenia witha risk of septicemia, severe bacterial sepsis, mouth ulcers and painfulgums. Lactic acidosis and mild anemia may occur. Affected boys usuallyshow delayed puberty and growth delay that is observed until the lateteens or early twenties, when a substantial growth spurt often occurs.Patients may also present severe difficulties with adequate food intake.Episodic diarrhea is common. Many patients have a similar facialappearance with chubby cheeks, deep-set eyes and prominent ears.

In some embodiments, treatment with an aromatic-cationic peptide, suchas, e.g., D-Arg-2′6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂, increases the expression of TAZ1in the myocardium in mammalian subjects that have suffered or are atrisk of suffering heart failure.

In some embodiments, TAZ1 expression level is increased by about 0.25fold to about 0.5 fold, or about 0.5 fold to about 0.75 fold, or about0.75 fold to about 1.0 fold, or about 1.0 fold to about 1.5 fold.

Regulation of MLCL AT1

Monolysocardiolipin acyltransferase (MLCL AT1) catalyzes the acylationof MLCL to cardiolipin in mammalian tissues.

In some embodiments, treatment with an aromatic-cationic peptide, suchas, e.g., D-Arg-2′6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂, decreases the expression of MLCLAT1 in the myocardium in mammalian subjects that have suffered or are atrisk of suffering heart failure.

In some embodiments, reducing MLCL AT1 expression level is a reductionmeasured by about 1 fold to about 1.5 fold reduction, or about 1.5 foldto about 2.0 fold reduction, or about 2.0 fold to about 2.5 foldreduction, or about 2.5 fold to about 3.0 fold reduction.

ALCAT1

Acyl-CoA lysocardiolipin acyltransferase 1 (ALCAT1) was initiallyidentified as a microsomal lysocardiolipin acyltransferase. ALCAT1possesses acyltransferase activities toward lysophosphatidylinositol(LPI) and lysophosphatidylglycerol (LPG).

ALCAT1 recognizes both monolysocardiolipin and dilysocardiolipin assubstrates with a preference for linoleoyl-CoA and oleoyl-CoA as acyldonors. ALCAT1 acts as a remodeling enzyme for cardiolipin.

In some embodiments, treatment with an aromatic-cationic peptide, suchas, e.g., D-Arg-2′6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂, decreases the expression of ALCAT1in the myocardium in mammalian subjects that have suffered or are atrisk of suffering heart failure.

In some embodiments, reducing ALCAT1 expression level is a reductionmeasured by about 1 fold to about 1.5 fold reduction, or about 1.5 foldto about 2.0 fold reduction, or about 2.0 fold to about 2.5 foldreduction, or about 2.5 fold to about 3.0 fold reduction.

Therapeutic Methods

The following discussion is presented by way of example only, and is notintended to limit the disclosed methods and compositions to a specificdisease or disease state. It is understood that lowering the expressionof MLCL AT1 or ALCAT1 and/or raising the expression TAZ1 in a subject inneed thereof will reduce the risk of any number of negative cardiac,stenotic or vascular events. One aspect of the present technologyincludes methods of treating heart failure in a subject having orsuspected of having an elevated MLCL AT1 or ALCAT1 expression and/orlowered TAZ1 expression for therapeutic purposes. In therapeuticapplications, compositions or medicaments comprising anaromatic-cationic peptide such as D-Arg-2′6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂ or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, such as acetate ortrifluoroacetate salt, are administered to a subject suspected of, oralready suffering from such a disease in an amount sufficient to cure,or at least partially arrest, the symptoms of the disease, including itscomplications and intermediate pathological phenotypes in development ofthe disease. As such, in some embodiments, the present technologyprovides methods of treating an individual having or suspected of havingan elevated MLCL AT1 or ALCAT1 expression level afflicted with heartfailure. Alternatively, or additionally, in some embodiments, thepresent technology provides methods of treating an individual having orsuspected of having an decreased TAZ1 expression afflicted with heartfailure.

Methods of Detection and Diagnosis

The present disclosure provides methods for diagnosis of diseases andconditions characterized by aberrant cardiolipin isoform expression,and/or aberrant cardiolipin remodeling gene sequences or gene expressionlevels. For example, the present disclosure provides methods fordiagnosis of heart failure, monitoring the treatment of heart failure,assessing mitochondrial dysfunction, detecting mutant nucleic acidsequences, detecting levels of nucleic acid sequences, and assessingcardiolipin content and composition. For example, in some embodiments,the methods comprise detecting the nucleic acid sequence (DNA or RNA)and/or levels of cardiolipin remodeling enzyme RNAs and/or cardiolipinisoforms in a biological sample from the subject. By way of example, butnot by way of limitation, subjects presenting with heart failure displayaberrant levels of TAZ1, MLCL AT1 or ALCAT1 mRNAs and levels of the 18:2cardiolipin isoform compared to normal control subjects. In anothernon-limiting example, subjects suffering from or at risk of, e.g., Barthsyndrome may exhibit aberrant cardiolipin isoform expression, and/oraberrant cardiolipin remodeling genes (e.g., gene mutations) or aberrantcardiolipin remodeling gene expression levels. The methods disclosedherein are directed to detecting such abnormalities, thereby allowingfor diagnosis, and appropriate therapeutic administration ormodification.

Levels of TAZ1, MLCL AT1 or ALCAT1 mRNAs may be measured (e.g., in abiological sample from a subject) by any suitable method known in theart, including, but not limited to, e.g., RT-PCR, in situ hybridization,or Northern blotting. Such methods are well known in the art.

By way of example but not by way of limitation, where the level of TAZ1,MLCL AT1 or ALCAT1 nucleic acid is measured, the step of measuring thelevel of nucleic acid comprises the steps of (a) contacting a biologicalsample with an oligonucleotide probe or oligonucleotide primer specificfor TAZ1, MLCL AT1 or ALCAT1 nucleic acid and (b) detecting the level ofTAZ1, MLCL AT1 or ALCAT1 nucleic acid present in the sample by observingthe level of interaction between said oligonucleotide probe oroligonucleotide primer and the TAZ1, MLCL AT1 or ALCAT1 nucleic acid.Such probes and primers predominantly, preferably specifically, bind toTAZ1, MLCL AT1 or ALCAT1 nucleic acid in a manner sufficient to enabledetection by known methods. The “level of interaction,” for example thelevel of binding of a probe or the level of amplification brought aboutby a primer (e.g., in the context of an amplification reaction),provides an indication of the level or amount of nucleic acid (forexample, cDNA or RNA) present in the sample and thus the level or amountof the TAZ1, MLCL AT1 or ALCAT1. Such observations may be carried outusing known methodologies and protocols. For example, where anoligonucleotide probe is used to detect the level of TAZ1, MLCL AT1 orALCAT1 nucleic acid, for example mRNA, Northern hybridizations,dot-blot, and in situ hybridizations can be used. Where anoligonucleotide primer is used to detect TAZ1, MLCL AT1 or ALCAT1nucleic acid, primer extension reactions, such as the polymerase chainreaction (PCR), for example quantitative PCR, can be carried out uponcDNA or RNA samples, to determine the level of TAZ1, MLCL AT1 or ALCAT1nucleic acid.

Other techniques for amplification include, for example, nucleic acidsequence based amplification (NASBA, e.g., Guatelli, et al., Proc.Nat'l. Acad. Sci. 87, 1874 (1990), incorporated herein by reference),strand displacement amplification (SDA, e.g., Walker, et al., Proc.Nat'l. Acad. Sci. 89, 392-96 (1992), incorporated herein by reference),ligase chain reaction (LCR, e.g., Kalin, et al., Mutat. Res., 283,119-23 (1992), incorporated herein by reference), transcription mediatedamplification (TMA, e.g., La Rocco, et al., Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol.Infect. Dis., 13, 726-31 (1994), incorporated herein by reference), androlling circle amplification (RCA, e.g., Lizardi, et al., Nat. Genet.,19, 225-32 (1998), incorporated herein by reference).

In some embodiments, a transcriptomic evaluation of the nucleic acidlevels of TAZ1, MLCL AT1 or ALCAT1 is performed. In some embodiments,the transcriptome is the set of all RNA molecules, including mRNA, rRNA,tRNA, and other non-coding RNA produced in one or a population of cellsor tissues from the subject. In some embodiments, the transcriptomeincludes only mRNA molecules in one or a population of cells or tissuesfrom the subject.

The content and composition of mitochondrial cardiolipin and/or thepresence and amount of TAZ1, MLCL AT1 or ALCAT1 protein may be measuredusing any suitable method known in the art, including, but not limitedto, e.g., chromatography, mass spectrometry, ELISA, Western blotting,immunodetection, or immunoprecipitation. As used herein, “content andcomposition” of cardiolipin refers to the cardiolipin isoforms presentin a subject, such as, for example, the presence of a particularcardiolipin isoform or the ratio of particular cardiolipin isoforms. Byway of example, but not by way of limitation, cardiolipin, TAZ1, MLCLAT1 or ALCAT1 levels are determined, and cardiolipin isoforms detectedusing antibodies.

For example, antibodies, or fragments of antibodies, specific for acardiolipin isoform or protein of interest can be used to quantitativelyor qualitatively detect the presence of the isoform or protein. This canbe accomplished, for example, by immunofluorescence techniques.Antibodies (or fragments thereof) can, additionally, be employedhistologically, as in immunofluorescence or immunoelectron microscopy,for in situ detection of an isoform or protein of interest. In situdetection can be accomplished by removing a histological specimen (e.g.,a biopsy specimen) from a patient, and applying thereto a labeledantibody thereto that is directed to an isoform or a protein. Theantibody (or fragment) is preferably applied by overlaying the labeledantibody (or fragment) onto a biological sample. Through the use of sucha procedure, it is possible to determine not only the presence of theprotein or isoform of interest, but also its distribution, its presencein cells (e.g., brain cells, heart cells, lymphocytes, etc.) within thesample. A wide variety of well-known histological methods (such asstaining procedures) can be utilized in order to achieve such in situdetection.

Immunoassays for a protein or isoform of interest typically compriseincubating a biological sample of a detectably labeled antibody capableof identifying a protein or isoform of interest, and detecting the boundantibody by any of a number of techniques well-known in the art. Theterm “labeled” can refer to direct labeling of the antibody via, e.g.,coupling (i.e., physically linking) a detectable substance to theantibody, and can also refer to indirect labeling of the antibody byreactivity with another reagent that is directly labeled. Examples ofindirect labeling include detection of a primary antibody using afluorescently labeled secondary antibody.

For example, the biological sample can be brought in contact with andimmobilized onto a solid phase support or carrier such asnitrocellulose, or other support which is capable of immobilizing cells,cell particles or soluble proteins. The support can then be washed withsuitable buffers followed by treatment with the detectably labeledspecific antibody. The solid phase support can then be washed with thebuffer a second time to remove unbound antibody. The amount of boundlabel on support can then be detected by conventional means.

By “solid phase support or carrier” in the context of proteinaceous orcardiolipin isoform agents is intended any support capable of binding anantigen or an antibody. Well-known supports or carriers include glass,polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, dextran, nylon, amylases,natural and modified celluloses, polyacrylamides, gabbros, andmagnetite. The nature of the carrier can be either soluble to someextent or insoluble for the purposes of the present invention. Thesupport material can have virtually any possible structuralconfiguration so long as the coupled molecule is capable of binding toan antigen or antibody. Thus, the support configuration can bespherical, as in a bead, or cylindrical, as in the inside surface of atest tube, or the external surface of a rod. Alternatively, the surfacecan be flat such as a sheet, test strip, etc. In some embodiments,supports include polystyrene beads. Those skilled in the art will knowmany other suitable carriers for binding antibody or antigen, or will beable to ascertain the same by use of routine experimentation.

One of the ways in which a specific antibody can be detectably labeledis by linking the same to an enzyme and use in an enzyme immunoassay(EIA) (Voller, A., “The Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)”,1978, Diagnostic Horizons 2:1-7, Microbiological Associates QuarterlyPublication, Walkersville, Md.); Voller, A. et al., 1978, J. Clin.Pathol. 31:507-520; Butler, J. E., 1981, Meth. Enzymol. 73:482-523;Maggio, E. (ed.), 1980, Enzyme Immunoassay, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla.;Ishikawa, E. et al., (eds.), 1981, Enzyme Immunoassay, Kgaku Shoin,Tokyo). The enzyme which is bound to the antibody will react with anappropriate substrate, preferably a chromogenic substrate, in such amanner as to produce a chemical moiety which can be detected, forexample, by spectrophotometric, fluorimetric or by visual means. Enzymeswhich can be used to detectably label the antibody include, but are notlimited to, malate dehydrogenase, staphylococcal nuclease,delta-5-steroid isomerase, yeast alcohol dehydrogenase,alpha-glycerophosphate, dehydrogenase, triose phosphate isomerase,horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, asparaginase, glucoseoxidase, beta-galactosidase, ribonuclease, urease, catalase,glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glucoamylase andacetylcholinesterase. The detection can be accomplished by colorimetricmethods which employ a chromogenic substrate for the enzyme. Detectioncan also be accomplished by visual comparison of the extent of enzymaticreaction of a substrate in comparison with similarly prepared standards.

Detection can also be accomplished using any of a variety of otherimmunoassays. For example, by radioactively labeling the antibodies orantibody fragments, it is possible to detect a protein of interestthrough the use of a radioimmunoassay (RIA) (see, for example,Weintraub, B., Principles of Radioimmunoassays, Seventh Training Courseon Radioligand Assay Techniques, The Endocrine Society, March 1986,which is incorporated by reference herein). Radioactive isotopes (e.g.,¹²⁵I, ¹³¹I, ³⁵S or ³H) can be detected by such means as the use of agamma counter or a scintillation counter or by autoradiography.

It is also possible to label the antibody with a fluorescent compound.When the fluorescently labeled antibody is exposed to light of theproper wavelength, its presence can then be detected due tofluorescence. By way of example but not by way of limitation, among themost commonly used fluorescent labeling compounds are fluoresceinisothiocyanate, rhodamine, phycoerythrin, phycocyanin, allophycocyanin,o-phthaldehyde and fluorescamine.

The antibody can also be detectably labeled using fluorescence emittingmetals such as ¹⁵²Eu, or others of the lanthanide series. These metalscan be attached to the antibody using such metal chelating groups asdiethylenetriaminepentacetic acid (DTPA) or ethylene diaminetetraaceticacid (EDTA).

The antibody also can be detectably labeled by coupling it to achemiluminescent compound. The presence of the chemiluminescent-taggedantibody is then determined by detecting the presence of luminescencethat arises during the course of a chemical reaction. Examples ofparticularly useful chemiluminescent labeling compounds are luminol,isoluminol, theromatic acridinium ester, imidazole, acridinium salt andoxalate ester.

Likewise, a bioluminescent compound can be used to label the antibody ofthe present technology. Bioluminescence is a type of chemiluminescencefound in biological systems in, which a catalytic protein increases theefficiency of the chemiluminescent reaction. The presence of abioluminescent protein is determined by detecting the presence ofluminescence. Important bioluminescent compounds for purposes oflabeling are luciferin, luciferase and aequorin.

Antibodies of the present technology may be a monoclonal antibody or apolyclonal antibody. Methods for deriving monoclonal and polyclonalantibodies are well known in the art. For the production of bothmonoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, the experimental animal is asuitable mammal such as, but not restricted to, a goat, rabbit, rat ormouse. In one embodiment, an antibody of the invention is a monoclonalantibody.

Monoclonal antibodies are immunoglobulin molecules that are identical toeach other and have a single binding specificity and affinity for aparticular epitope. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) of the presenttechnology can be produced by a variety of techniques, includingconventional monoclonal antibody methodology e.g., the standard somaticcell hybridization technique of Kohler and Milstein (1975) Nature 256:495, or viral or oncogenic transformation of B lymphocytes. In someembodiments, the animal system for preparing hybridomas is the murinesystem. Hybridoma production in the mouse is a very well-establishedprocedure. Immunization protocols and techniques for isolation ofimmunized splenocytes for fusion are known in the art. Fusion partners(e.g., murine myeloma cells) and fusion procedures are also known.

To generate hybridomas that produce monoclonal antibodies of the presenttechnology, splenocytes and/or lymph node cells from immunized mice canbe isolated and fused to an appropriate immortalized cell line, such asa mouse myeloma cell line. The resulting hybridomas can be screened forthe production of antigen-specific antibodies. The antibody secretinghybridomas can be re-plated, screened again, and if still positive forsuitable IgG, the hybridomas can be subcloned at least twice by limitingdilution. The stable subclones can then be cultured in vitro to generatesmall amounts of antibody in tissue culture medium for characterization.

An antibody of the present technology may be prepared, expressed,created or isolated by recombinant means, such as (a) antibodiesisolated from an animal (e.g., a mouse) that is transgenic ortranschromosomal for the immunoglobulin genes of interest or a hybridomaprepared therefrom, (b) antibodies isolated from a host cell transformedto express the antibody of interest, e.g., from a transfectoma, (c)antibodies isolated from a recombinant, combinatorial antibody library,and (d) antibodies prepared, expressed, created or isolated by any othermeans that involve splicing of immunoglobulin gene sequences to otherDNA sequences.

In some embodiments, a proteomic evaluation of the levels of TAZ1, MLCLAT1 or ALCAT1 protein is performed. In some embodiments, the proteome isthe set of all protein molecules produced in one or a population ofcells or tissues from the subject.

In some embodiments, levels of cardiolipin and/or cardiolipin isoformsare determined for one or a population of cells or tissues from thesubject.

For purposes of diagnosing heart failure, assessing mitochondrialdysfunction, and assessing cardiolipin content and composition, asubject's biological sample may be compared to a sample from a normalcontrol subject. For purposes of monitoring treatment for heart failure,a subject's biological sample may be compared to a sample from a normalcontrol subject and/or to a sample previously collected from thesubject, such as prior to the start of treatment or at an earlier timepoint in the course of treatment.

According to the methods, the subject's biological sample may be anysample that provides a suitable amount of RNA or mitochondrialcardiolipin to perform the necessary detection method. Biologicalsamples suitable for the disclosed methods include but are not limitedto a tissue, a cell, or a mitochondria from the subject. In someembodiments, the sample comprises a tissue. In some embodiments, thetissue comprises a cardiac tissue. In some embodiments, the tissuecomprises a non-cardiac tissue. In some embodiments, the samplecomprises a cell. In some embodiments, the cell is a blood cell. In someembodiments, the blood cell is a peripheral blood mononuclear cell(PBMC) or a leukocyte. In some embodiments, the sample comprisesmitochondria isolated from cardiac tissue or non-cardiac tissue.

In some embodiments, the methods further comprise administering to thesubject a therapeutically effective amount of the peptideD-Arg-2′6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂ or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof. In some embodiments, the methods further comprise administeringto the subject a cardiovascular agent. In some embodiments, thecardiovascular agent is selected from the group consisting of: ananti-arrhythmia agent, a vasodilator, an anti-anginal agent, acorticosteroid, a cardioglycoside, a diuretic, a sedative, anangiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, an angiotensin IIantagonist, a thrombolytic agent, a calcium channel blocker, athroboxane receptor antagonist, a radical scavenger, an anti-plateletdrug, a β-adrenaline receptor blocking drug, α-receptor blocking drug, asympathetic nerve inhibitor, a digitalis formulation, an inotrope, andan antihyperlipidemic drug.

Prophylactic Methods

In one aspect, the present technology provides a method for preventingheart failure in a subject having or suspected of having one or more ofan elevated MLCL AT1 or ALCAT1 expression and/or decreased TAZ1expression, by administering to the subject an compositions ormedicaments comprising an aromatic-cationic peptide such asD-Arg-2′6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂ or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof, such as acetate or trifluoroacetate salt, that normalizes oneor more of the MLCL AT1, ALCAT1, or TAZ1 expression levels. Subjects atrisk for heart failure can be identified by, e.g., any or a combinationof diagnostic or prognostic assays as described herein. In prophylacticapplications, pharmaceutical compositions or medicaments ofaromatic-cationic peptides are administered to a subject susceptible to,or otherwise at risk of a disease or condition in an amount sufficientto eliminate or reduce the risk, lessen the severity, or delay theoutset of the disease, including biochemical, histologic and/orbehavioral symptoms of the disease, its complications and intermediatepathological phenotypes presenting during development of the disease.Administration of a prophylactic aromatic-cationic can occur prior tothe manifestation of symptoms characteristic of the disease or disorder,such that the disease or disorder is prevented or, alternatively,delayed in its progression. The appropriate compound can be determinedbased on screening assays described above.

Subjects diagnosed with or at risk for heart failure may exhibit one ormore of the following non-limiting risk factors: high blood pressure;coronary artery disease; heart attack; irregular heartbeats; diabetes;some diabetes medications (e.g., rosiglitazone and pioglitazone havebeen found to increase the risk of heart failure); sleep apnea;congenital heart defects; viral infection; alcohol use; obesity,lifestyle (e.g., smoking, sedentary lifestyle), high cholesterol, familyhistory, stress, and kidney conditions.

Determination of the Biological Effect of the Aromatic-CationicPeptide-Based Therapeutic

In various embodiments, suitable in vitro or in vivo assays areperformed to determine the effect of a specific aromatic-cationicpeptide-based therapeutic and whether its administration is indicatedfor treatment. In various embodiments, in vitro assays can be performedwith representative animal models, to determine if a givenaromatic-cationic peptide-based therapeutic exerts the desired effect inreducing MLCL AT1 and ALCAT1 expression, increasing TAZ 1 expression,and preventing or treating heart failure. Compounds for use in therapycan be tested in suitable animal model systems including, but notlimited to rats, mice, chicken, cows, monkeys, rabbits, and the like,prior to testing in human subjects. Similarly, for in vivo testing, anyof the animal model system known in the art can be used prior toadministration to human subjects.

HF has been induced in different species with volume overload, pressureoverload, fast pacing, myocardial ischemia, cardiotoxic drugs, orgenetically modified models. Models using pressure overload have beenmost commonly used. Hypertension is associated with an increased riskfor the development of HF. In one mouse model, angiotensin II (Ang II)increases blood pressure and induces cardiomyocyte hypertrophy,increased cardiac fibrosis, and impaired cardiomyocyte relaxation.Infusion of angiotensin to mice by mini osmotic pump increases systolicand diastolic blood pressure, increases heart weight and leftventricular thickness (LVMI), and impaired myocardial performance index(MPI). MLCL AT1, ALCAT1, and TAZ1 expression levels are monitored atvarious time points before, during and after HF induction.

In a second illustrative mouse model, sustained high level expression ofGαq can lead to marked myocyte apoptosis, resulting in cardiachypertrophy and heart failure by 16 weeks of age (D'Angelo et al.,1998). The β-adrenergic receptors (βARs) are primarily coupled to theheterotrimeric G protein, Gs, to stimulate adenylyl cyclase activity.This association generates intracellular cAMP and protein kinase Aactivation, which regulate cardiac contractility and heart rate.Overexpression of Gαq leads to decreased responsiveness to β-adrenergicagonists and results in HF. MLCL AT1, ALCAT1, and TAZ1 expression levelsare monitored at various time points before, during and after HFinduction.

Experimental constriction of the aorta by surgical ligation is alsowidely used as a model of HF. Transaortic constriction (TAC) results inpressure overload induced HF, with increase in left ventricular (LV)mass. TAC is performed as described by Tamayski O et al. (2004) using a7-0 silk double-knot suture to constrict the ascending aorta. After TAC,mice develop HF within a period of 4 weeks. MLCL AT1, ALCAT1, and TAZ1expression levels are monitored at various timepoints before, during andafter HF induction.

Modes of Administration and Effective Dosages

Any method known to those in the art for contacting a cell, organ ortissue with a peptide may be employed. Suitable methods include invitro, ex vivo, or in vivo methods. In vivo methods typically includethe administration of an aromatic-cationic peptide, such as thosedescribed above, to a mammal, suitably a human. When used in vivo fortherapy, the aromatic-cationic peptides are administered to the subjectin effective amounts (i.e., amounts that have desired therapeuticeffect). The dose and dosage regimen will depend upon the degree of theinfection in the subject, the characteristics of the particulararomatic-cationic peptide used, e.g., its therapeutic index, thesubject, and the subject's history.

The effective amount may be determined during pre-clinical trials andclinical trials by methods familiar to physicians and clinicians. Aneffective amount of a peptide useful in the methods may be administeredto a mammal in need thereof by any of a number of well-known methods foradministering pharmaceutical compounds. The peptide may be administeredsystemically or locally.

The peptide may be formulated as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt. Theterm “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” means a salt prepared from abase or an acid which is acceptable for administration to a patient,such as a mammal (e.g., salts having acceptable mammalian safety for agiven dosage regime). However, it is understood that the salts are notrequired to be pharmaceutically acceptable salts, such as salts ofintermediate compounds that are not intended for administration to apatient. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be derived frompharmaceutically acceptable inorganic or organic bases and frompharmaceutically acceptable inorganic or organic acids. In addition,when a peptide contains both a basic moiety, such as an amine, pyridineor imidazole, and an acidic moiety such as a carboxylic acid ortetrazole, zwitterions may be formed and are included within the term“salt” as used herein. Salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptableinorganic bases include ammonium, calcium, copper, ferric, ferrous,lithium, magnesium, manganic, manganous, potassium, sodium, and zincsalts, and the like. Salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptableorganic bases include salts of primary, secondary and tertiary amines,including substituted amines, cyclic amines, naturally-occurring aminesand the like, such as arginine, betaine, caffeine, choline,N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine, diethylamine, 2-diethylaminoethanol,2-dimethylaminoethanol, ethanolamine, ethylenediamine,N-ethylmorpholine, N-ethylpiperidine, glucamine, glucosamine, histidine,hydrabamine, isopropylamine, lysine, methylglucamine, morpholine,piperazine, piperadine, polyamine resins, procaine, purines,theobromine, triethylamine, trimethylamine, tripropylamine, tromethamineand the like. Salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptable inorganicacids include salts of boric, carbonic, hydrohalic (hydrobromic,hydrochloric, hydrofluoric or hydroiodic), nitric, phosphoric, sulfamicand sulfuric acids. Salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptableorganic acids include salts of aliphatic hydroxyl acids (e.g., citric,gluconic, glycolic, lactic, lactobionic, malic, and tartaric acids),aliphatic monocarboxylic acids (e.g., acetic, butyric, formic, propionicand trifluoroacetic acids), amino acids (e.g., aspartic and glutamicacids), aromatic carboxylic acids (e.g., benzoic, p-chlorobenzoic,diphenylacetic, gentisic, hippuric, and triphenylacetic acids), aromatichydroxyl acids (e.g., o-hydroxybenzoic, p-hydroxybenzoic,1-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic and 3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylicacids), ascorbic, dicarboxylic acids (e.g., fumaric, maleic, oxalic andsuccinic acids), glucuronic, mandelic, mucic, nicotinic, orotic, pamoic,pantothenic, sulfonic acids (e.g., benzenesulfonic, camphosulfonic,edisylic, ethanesulfonic, isethionic, methanesulfonic,naphthalenesulfonic, naphthalene-1,5-disulfonic,naphthalene-2,6-disulfonic and p-toluenesulfonic acids), xinafoic acid,and the like. In some embodiments, the salt is an acetate ortrifluoroacetate salt.

The aromatic-cationic peptides described herein can be incorporated intopharmaceutical compositions for administration, singly or incombination, to a subject for the treatment or prevention of a disorderdescribed herein. Such compositions typically include the active agentand a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. As used herein the term“pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includes saline, solvents,dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents,isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like, compatible withpharmaceutical administration. Supplementary active compounds can alsobe incorporated into the compositions.

Pharmaceutical compositions are typically formulated to be compatiblewith its intended route of administration. Examples of routes ofadministration include parenteral (e.g., intravenous, intradermal,intraperitoneal or subcutaneous), oral, inhalation, transdermal(topical), intraocular, iontophoretic, and transmucosal administration.Solutions or suspensions used for parenteral, intradermal, orsubcutaneous application can include the following components: a sterilediluent such as water for injection, saline solution, fixed oils,polyethylene glycols, glycerine, propylene glycol or other syntheticsolvents; antibacterial agents such as benzyl alcohol or methylparabens; antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or sodium bisulfite;chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; buffers suchas acetates, citrates or phosphates and agents for the adjustment oftonicity such as sodium chloride or dextrose. pH can be adjusted withacids or bases, such as hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide. Theparenteral preparation can be enclosed in ampoules, disposable syringesor multiple dose vials made of glass or plastic. For convenience of thepatient or treating physician, the dosing formulation can be provided ina kit containing all necessary equipment (e.g., vials of drug, vials ofdiluent, syringes and needles) for a treatment course (e.g., 7 days oftreatment).

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for injectable use can includesterile aqueous solutions (where water soluble) or dispersions andsterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectablesolutions or dispersion. For intravenous administration, suitablecarriers include physiological saline, bacteriostatic water, CremophorEL™ (BASF, Parsippany, N.J.) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). In allcases, a composition for parenteral administration must be sterile andshould be fluid to the extent that easy syringability exists. It shouldbe stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage and must bepreserved against the contaminating action of microorganisms such asbacteria and fungi.

The aromatic-cationic peptide compositions can include a carrier, whichcan be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water,ethanol, polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquidpolyethylene glycol, and the like), and suitable mixtures thereof. Theproper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coatingsuch as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size inthe case of dispersion and by the use of surfactants. Prevention of theaction of microorganisms can be achieved by various antibacterial andantifungal agents, for example, parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol,ascorbic acid, thiomerasol, and the like. Glutathione and otherantioxidants can be included to prevent oxidation. In many cases, itwill be preferable to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars,polyalcohols such as mannitol, sorbitol, or sodium chloride in thecomposition. Prolonged absorption of the injectable compositions can bebrought about by including in the composition an agent that delaysabsorption, for example, aluminum monostearate or gelatin.

Sterile injectable solutions can be prepared by incorporating the activecompound in the required amount in an appropriate solvent with one or acombination of ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed byfiltered sterilization. Generally, dispersions are prepared byincorporating the active compound into a sterile vehicle, which containsa basic dispersion medium and the required other ingredients from thoseenumerated above. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation ofsterile injectable solutions, typical methods of preparation includevacuum drying and freeze drying, which can yield a powder of the activeingredient plus any additional desired ingredient from a previouslysterile-filtered solution thereof.

Oral compositions generally include an inert diluent or an ediblecarrier. For the purpose of oral therapeutic administration, the activecompound can be incorporated with excipients and used in the form oftablets, troches, or capsules, e.g., gelatin capsules. Oral compositionscan also be prepared using a fluid carrier for use as a mouthwash.Pharmaceutically compatible binding agents, and/or adjuvant materialscan be included as part of the composition. The tablets, pills,capsules, troches and the like can contain any of the followingingredients, or compounds of a similar nature: a binder such asmicrocrystalline cellulose, gum tragacanth or gelatin; an excipient suchas starch or lactose, a disintegrating agent such as alginic acid,Primogel, or corn starch; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate orSterotes; a glidant such as colloidal silicon dioxide; a sweeteningagent such as sucrose or saccharin; or a flavoring agent such aspeppermint, methyl salicylate, or orange flavoring.

For administration by inhalation, the compounds can be delivered in theform of an aerosol spray from a pressurized container or dispenser,which contains a suitable propellant, e.g., a gas such as carbondioxide, or a nebulizer. Such methods include those described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,468,798.

Systemic administration of a therapeutic compound as described hereincan also be by transmucosal or transdermal means. For transmucosal ortransdermal administration, penetrants appropriate to the barrier to bepermeated are used in the formulation. Such penetrants are generallyknown in the art, and include, for example, for transmucosaladministration, detergents, bile salts, and fusidic acid derivatives.Transmucosal administration can be accomplished through the use of nasalsprays. For transdermal administration, the active compounds areformulated into ointments, salves, gels, or creams as generally known inthe art. In one embodiment, transdermal administration may be performedmy iontophoresis.

A therapeutic protein or peptide can be formulated in a carrier system.The carrier can be a colloidal system. The colloidal system can be aliposome, a phospholipid bilayer vehicle. In one embodiment, thetherapeutic peptide is encapsulated in a liposome while maintainingpeptide integrity. As one skilled in the art would appreciate, there area variety of methods to prepare liposomes. (See Lichtenberg et al.,Methods Biochem. Anal., 33:337-462 (1988); Anselem et al., LiposomeTechnology, CRC Press (1993)). Liposomal formulations can delayclearance and increase cellular uptake (See Reddy, Ann. Pharmacother.,34(7-8):915-923 (2000)). An active agent can also be loaded into aparticle prepared from pharmaceutically acceptable ingredientsincluding, but not limited to, soluble, insoluble, permeable,impermeable, biodegradable or gastroretentive polymers or liposomes.Such particles include, but are not limited to, nanoparticles,biodegradable nanoparticles, microparticles, biodegradablemicroparticles, nanospheres, biodegradable nanospheres, microspheres,biodegradable microspheres, capsules, emulsions, liposomes, micelles andviral vector systems.

The carrier can also be a polymer, e.g., a biodegradable, biocompatiblepolymer matrix. In one embodiment, the therapeutic peptide can beembedded in the polymer matrix, while maintaining protein integrity. Thepolymer may be natural, such as polypeptides, proteins orpolysaccharides, or synthetic, such as poly α-hydroxy acids. Examplesinclude carriers made of, e.g., collagen, fibronectin, elastin,cellulose acetate, cellulose nitrate, polysaccharide, fibrin, gelatin,and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the polymer is poly-lacticacid (PLA) or copoly lactic/glycolic acid (PGLA). The polymeric matricescan be prepared and isolated in a variety of forms and sizes, includingmicrospheres and nanospheres. Polymer formulations can lead to prolongedduration of therapeutic effect. (See Reddy, Ann. Pharmacother.,34(7-8):915-923 (2000)). A polymer formulation for human growth hormone(hGH) has been used in clinical trials. (See Kozarich and Rich, ChemicalBiology, 2:548-552 (1998)).

Examples of polymer microsphere sustained release formulations aredescribed in PCT publication WO 99/15154 (Tracy et al.), U.S. Pat. Nos.5,674,534 and 5,716,644 (both to Zale et al.), PCT publication WO96/40073 (Zale et al.), and PCT publication WO 00/38651 (Shah et al.).U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,674,534 and 5,716,644 and PCT publication WO 96/40073describe a polymeric matrix containing particles of erythropoietin thatare stabilized against aggregation with a salt.

In some embodiments, the therapeutic compounds are prepared withcarriers that will protect the therapeutic compounds against rapidelimination from the body, such as a controlled release formulation,including implants and microencapsulated delivery systems.Biodegradable, biocompatible polymers can be used, such as ethylenevinyl acetate, polyanhydrides, polyglycolic acid, collagen,polyorthoesters, and polylactic acid. Such formulations can be preparedusing known techniques. The materials can also be obtained commercially,e.g., from Alza Corporation and Nova Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Liposomalsuspensions (including liposomes targeted to specific cells withmonoclonal antibodies to cell-specific antigens) can also be used aspharmaceutically acceptable carriers. These can be prepared according tomethods known to those skilled in the art, for example, as described inU.S. Pat. No. 4,522,811.

The therapeutic compounds can also be formulated to enhanceintracellular delivery. For example, liposomal delivery systems areknown in the art, see, e.g., Chonn and Cullis, “Recent Advances inLiposome Drug Delivery Systems,” Current Opinion in Biotechnology6:698-708 (1995); Weiner, “Liposomes for Protein Delivery: SelectingManufacture and Development Processes,” Immunomethods, 4(3):201-9(1994); and Gregoriadis, “Engineering Liposomes for Drug Delivery:Progress and Problems,” Trends Biotechnol., 13(12):527-37 (1995).Mizguchi et al., Cancer Lett., 100:63-69 (1996), describes the use offusogenic liposomes to deliver a protein to cells both in vivo and invitro.

Dosage, toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of the therapeutic agents canbe determined by standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures orexperimental animals, e.g., for determining the LD50 (the dose lethal to50% of the population) and the ED50 (the dose therapeutically effectivein 50% of the population). The dose ratio between toxic and therapeuticeffects is the therapeutic index and it can be expressed as the ratioLD50/ED50. Compounds that exhibit high therapeutic indices arepreferred. While compounds that exhibit toxic side effects may be used,care should be taken to design a delivery system that targets suchcompounds to the site of affected tissue in order to minimize potentialdamage to uninfected cells and, thereby, reduce side effects.

The data obtained from the cell culture assays and animal studies can beused in formulating a range of dosage for use in humans. The dosage ofsuch compounds lies preferably within a range of circulatingconcentrations that include the ED50 with little or no toxicity. Thedosage may vary within this range depending upon the dosage formemployed and the route of administration utilized. For any compound usedin the methods, the therapeutically effective dose can be estimatedinitially from cell culture assays. A dose can be formulated in animalmodels to achieve a circulating plasma concentration range that includesthe IC50 (i.e., the concentration of the test compound which achieves ahalf-maximal inhibition of symptoms) as determined in cell culture. Suchinformation can be used to determine useful doses in humans accurately.Levels in plasma may be measured, for example, by high performanceliquid chromatography.

Typically, an effective amount of the aromatic-cationic peptides,sufficient for achieving a therapeutic or prophylactic effect, rangefrom about 0.000001 mg per kilogram body weight per day to about 10,000mg per kilogram body weight per day. Suitably, the dosage ranges arefrom about 0.0001 mg per kilogram body weight per day to about 100 mgper kilogram body weight per day. For example dosages can be 1 mg/kgbody weight or 10 mg/kg body weight every day, every two days or everythree days or within the range of 1-10 mg/kg every week, every two weeksor every three weeks. In one embodiment, a single dosage of peptideranges from 0.001-10,000 micrograms per kg body weight. In oneembodiment, aromatic-cationic peptide concentrations in a carrier rangefrom 0.2 to 2000 micrograms per delivered milliliter. An exemplarytreatment regime entails administration once per day or once a week. Intherapeutic applications, a relatively high dosage at relatively shortintervals is sometimes required until progression of the disease isreduced or terminated, and preferably until the subject shows partial orcomplete amelioration of symptoms of disease. Thereafter, the patientcan be administered a prophylactic regime.

In some embodiments, a therapeutically effective amount of anaromatic-cationic peptide may be defined as a concentration of peptideat the target tissue of 10⁻¹² to 10⁻⁶ molar, e.g., approximately 10⁻⁷molar. This concentration may be delivered by systemic doses of 0.001 to100 mg/kg or equivalent dose by body surface area. The schedule of doseswould be optimized to maintain the therapeutic concentration at thetarget tissue, most preferably by single daily or weekly administration,but also including continuous administration (e.g., parenteral infusionor transdermal application).

The skilled artisan will appreciate that certain factors may influencethe dosage and timing required to effectively treat a subject, includingbut not limited to, the severity of the disease or disorder, previoustreatments, the general health and/or age of the subject, and otherdiseases present. Moreover, treatment of a subject with atherapeutically effective amount of the therapeutic compositionsdescribed herein can include a single treatment or a series oftreatments.

The mammal treated in accordance present methods can be any mammal,including, for example, farm animals, such as sheep, pigs, cows, andhorses; pet animals, such as dogs and cats; laboratory animals, such asrats, mice and rabbits. In a preferred embodiment, the mammal is ahuman.

Combination Therapy with an Aromatic-Cationic Peptide and OtherTherapeutic Agents

In some embodiments, the aromatic-cationic peptides may be combined withone or more additional agents for the prevention or treatment of heartfailure. Drug treatment for heart failure typically involves diuretics,ACE inhibitors, digoxin (also called digitalis), calcium channelblockers, and beta-blockers. In mild cases, thiazide diuretics, such ashydrochlorothiazide at 25-50 mg/day or chlorothiazide at 250-500 mg/day,are useful. However, supplemental potassium chloride may be needed,since chronic diuresis causes hypokalemis alkalosis. Moreover, thiazidediuretics usually are not effective in patients with advanced symptomsof heart failure. Typical doses of ACE inhibitors include captopril at25-50 mg/day and quinapril at 10 mg/day.

In one embodiment, the aromatic-cationic peptide is combined with anadrenergic beta-2 agonist. An “adrenergic beta-2 agonist” refers toadrenergic beta-2 agonists and analogues and derivatives thereof,including, for example, natural or synthetic functional variants, whichhave adrenergic beta-2 agonist biological activity, as well as fragmentsof an adrenergic beta-2 agonist having adrenergic beta-2 agonistbiological activity. The term “adrenergic beta-2 agonist biologicalactivity” refers to activity that mimics the effects of adrenaline andnoradrenaline in a subject and which improves myocardial contractilityin a patient having heart failure. Commonly known adrenergic beta-2agonists include, but are not limited to, clenbuterol, albuterol,formeoterol, levalbuterol, metaproterenol, pirbuterol, salmeterol, andterbutaline.

In one embodiment, the aromatic-cationic peptide is combined with anadrenergic beta-1 antagonist. Adrenergic beta-1 antagonists andadrenergic beta-1 blockers refer to adrenergic beta-1 antagonists andanalogues and derivatives thereof, including, for example, natural orsynthetic functional variants which have adrenergic beta-1 antagonistbiological activity, as well as fragments of an adrenergic beta-1antagonist having adrenergic beta-1 antagonist biological activity.Adrenergic beta-1 antagonist biological activity refers to activity thatblocks the effects of adrenaline on beta receptors. Commonly knownadrenergic beta-1 antagonists include, but are not limited to,acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, bisoprolol, esmolol, and metoprolol.

Clenbuterol, for example, is available under numerous brand namesincluding Spiropent® (Boehinger Ingelheim), Broncodil® (Von Boch I),Broncoterol® (Quimedical PT), Cesbron® (Fidelis PT), and Clenbuter®(Biomedica Foscama). Similarly, methods of preparing adrenergic beta-1antagonists such as metoprolol and their analogues and derivatives arewell-known in the art. Metoprolol, in particular, is commerciallyavailable under the brand names Lopressor® (metoprolol tartate)manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, One Health Plaza,East Hanover, N.J. 07936-1080. Generic versions of Lopressor® are alsoavailable from Mylan Laboratories Inc., 1500 Corporate Drive, Suite 400,Canonsburg, Pa. 15317; and Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 360 Mt. KembleAve. Morristown, N.J. 07962. Metoprolol is also commercially availableunder the brand name Toprol XL®, manufactured by Astra Zeneca, LP.

In one embodiment, an additional therapeutic agent is administered to asubject in combination with an aromatic cationic peptide, such that asynergistic therapeutic effect is produced. Therefore, lower doses ofone or both of the therapeutic agents may be used in treating heartfailure, resulting in increased therapeutic efficacy and decreasedside-effects.

In any case, the multiple therapeutic agents may be administered in anyorder or even simultaneously. If simultaneously, the multipletherapeutic agents may be provided in a single, unified form, or inmultiple forms (by way of example only, either as a single pill or astwo separate pills). One of the therapeutic agents may be given inmultiple doses, or both may be given as multiple doses. If notsimultaneous, the timing between the multiple doses may vary from morethan zero weeks to less than four weeks. In addition, the combinationmethods, compositions and formulations are not to be limited to the useof only two agents.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples,which should not be construed as limiting in any way.

Example 1 Effects of Aromatic-Cationic Peptides on Heart MitochondrialCardiolipin in a Dog Model of Heart Failure

In this Example, the effect of aromatic-cationic peptide such asD-Arg-2′6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂ on heart mitochondrial cardiolipin levels indogs with coronary microembolization-induced heart failure will beinvestigated.

Methods

Heart failure will be induced in dogs via multiple sequentialintracoronary microembolizations as described in Sabbah, et al., Am JPhysiol. (1991) 260:H1379-84, herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety. Half the dogs will be subsequently treated with themitochondrial peptide; the other half will be treated with drug vehicleand serve as controls. Peptide treatment will be started upon inductionof heart failure (HF), defined as left ventricular ejection fraction ofapproximately 30%. The daily dose of the peptide will be 0.5 mg/kg/dayadministered intravenously. At the end of the treatment phase (12 weeks)dogs in both the vehicle and treatment groups will be sacrificed and asample of heart muscle from the left ventricle will be removed, washedwith saline, and immediately frozen and stored at −80° C. Forcardiolipin analysis, lipids will be extracted from the heart tissuesample with a chloroform/methanol solution (Bligh Dyer extraction).Individual lipid extracts will be reconstituted with chloroform:methanol(1:1), flushed with N₂, and then stored at −20° C. before analysis viaelectrospray ionization mass spectroscopy using a triple-quadrupole massspectrometer equipped with an automated nanospray apparatus. Enhancedmultidimensional mass spectrometry-based shotgun lipidomics forcardiolipin will be performed as described by Han, et al., “Shotgunlipidomics of cardiolipin molecular species in lipid extracts ofbiological samples,” J Lipid Res 47(4)864-879 (2006).

Anticipated Results

It is anticipated that the 18:2 cardiolipin species will be reduced inuntreated HF dogs (HF-CON) (p<0.05) as compared to normal cardiac tissuefrom normal dogs (NL). FIG. 1. However, it is anticipated that HF dogstreated with D-Arg-2′6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂ (HF-AP) will have levels of 18:2cardiolipin similar to the NL dogs and greater than HF-CON.

It is anticipated that the 18:2 cardiolipin species will be reduced inHF. It is anticipated that the reduction of 18:2 cardiolipin will leadto poor oxidative phosphorylation and subsequent LV dysfunction. Chronictreatment with D-Arg-2′6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂ is anticipated to normalize18:2 cardiolipin, which will lead to improved LV function and rate ofmitochondrial ATP synthesis.

These results are anticipated to show that aromatic-cationic peptides ofthe present disclosure, such as D-Arg-2′6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, such as acetate ortrifluoroacetate salt, are useful in the prevention and treatment ofdiseases and conditions associated with aberrant cardiolipin levels. Inparticular, these results will show that aromatic-cationic peptides ofthe present disclosure, such as D-Arg-2′6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, such as acetate ortrifluoroacetate salt, are useful in methods comprising administrationof the peptide to subjects in need of normalization of cardiolipinlevels and remodeling.

Example 2 Effects of Aromatic-Cationic Peptides on MLCL AT1, ALCAT1, andTAZ1 Expression in a Dog Model of Heart Failure

In this Example, the effect of the aromatic-cationic peptideD-Arg-2′6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂ on cardiolipin remodeling enzymes, MLCL AT1,ALCAT1, and TAZ1 in dogs with coronary microembolization-induced heartfailure will be investigated.

Methods

Heart failure will be induced in dogs via multiple sequentialintracoronary microembolizations as described in Sabbah, et al., Am JPhysiol. (1991) 260:H1379-84, herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

Twelve dogs will be subject to coronary microembolization-induced heartfailure (LV ejection fraction ˜30%). Subjects will be randomized intoD-Arg-2′6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂-treated and control groups for a three-monthtrial. Subjects will receive subcutaneous injections ofD-Arg-2′6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂ (0.5 mg/kg once daily, n=6) or saline(Untreated-HF Control, n=6). RNA will be prepared from LV tissue of allsubjects at the end of the treatment phase and from the LV of six normalsubject controls. Levels of TAZ1 mRNA will be determined by real-timePCR. Changes in mRNA levels will be expressed as fold reduction usingthe CT Method, with normalization to a glyceraldehyde 1,3 diphosphatedehydrogenase (GAPDH) internal control.

Results

Compared to normal level (NL), it is anticipated that mRNA levels ofTAZ1 in untreated HF dogs will decrease (e.g., about 2 to about2.25-fold or more) while mRNA of MLCLAT1 and ALCAT1 will increase (e.g.,about 2 to about 2.60-fold or more and about 3 to about 3.56-fold ormore, respectively). It is anticipated that treatment withD-Arg-2′6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂ will attenuate the decrease of TAZ1 (e.g., byabout 1-1.23 fold or more) and will reduce the increase in MLCLAT1 andALCAT1 (e.g., by about 1 to about 1.18-fold or more and by about 1 toabout 1.54-fold or more, respectively).

HF is associated with dysregulation of cardiolipin remodeling enzymesthat can lead to pathologic remodeling of cardiolipin and to structuraland functional mitochondrial abnormalities. It is anticipated thatchronic therapy with D-Arg-2′6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂ will partially reversethese maladaptations thus allowing for resumption of physiologicpost-biosynthesis remodeling of cardiolipin.

These results are anticipated to show that aromatic-cationic peptides ofthe present disclosure, such as D-Arg-2′6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, such as acetate ortrifluoroacetate salt, are useful in the prevention and treatment ofdiseases and conditions associated with reduced TAZ1 expression levels.In particular, these results are anticipated to show thataromatic-cationic peptides of the present disclosure, such asD-Arg-2′6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂, or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof, such as acetate or trifluoroacetate salt, are useful in methodscomprising administration of the peptide to subjects in need ofnormalization of TAZ1 expression levels, such as, for example, subjectshaving Barth Syndrome.

Example 3 Diagnosis of Heart Failure

This example will demonstrate methods of the present technology for thediagnosis of heart failure in a subject in need thereof. In particular,the example will demonstrate the detection of TAZ1, MLCL AT1, or ALCAT1mRNA and cardiolipin content and composition in a biological sample fromthe subject for the diagnosis of heart failure.

Methods

For cardiolipin measurements, lipids are extracted from cellular samplesfrom the subject, such as including, but not limited to, cardiac tissue,non-cardiac tissue, peripheral blood cells, such as peripheral bloodmononuclear cells (PBMCs) and leukocytes, and isolated mitochondria.Lipids are extracted from the sample with a chloroform/methanol solution(Bligh Dyer extraction). Individual lipid extracts are reconstitutedwith chloroform:methanol (1:1), flushed with N₂, and stored at −20° C.for analysis via electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy using atriple-quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an automated nanosprayapparatus. Enhanced multidimensional mass spectrometry-based shotgunlipidomics for cardiolipin is performed as described by Han, et al.,“Shotgun lipidomics of cardiolipin molecular species in lipid extractsof biological samples,” J Lipid Res 47(4)864-879 (2006). Illustrativeresults for this analysis are shown in Example 1 above.

For mRNA measurements, RNA is prepared from cellular samples from thesubject, such as including, but not limited to, cardiac tissue,non-cardiac tissue, peripheral blood cells, such as peripheral bloodmononuclear cells (PBMCs) and leukocytes, and isolated mitochondria.Levels of mRNAs are measured using methods known in the art, such asthose exemplified in Example 2 above.

Results

It is expected that individuals with heart failure will display aberrantlevels of one or more of TAZ1, MLCL AT1, and ALCAT1 mRNAs compared to anormal control subject. TAZ1 mRNAs are expected to be reduced comparedto the control, while MLCL AT1, and ALCAT1 mRNAs are expected to beelevated. It is further expected that subjects with heart failure willdisplay aberrant cardiolipin remodeling compared to a normal controlsubject, with reduced levels of the 18:2 cardiolipin species compared toa control.

These results will show that the methods of the present technology areuseful for detecting the levels of TAZ1, MLCL AT1, and ALCAT1 mRNA andcardiolipin content and composition for the diagnosis of heart failurein a subject in need thereof.

Example 4 Monitoring Treatment for Heart Failure

This example will demonstrate methods of the present technology formonitoring of treatment for heart failure in a subject in need thereof.In particular, the example will demonstrate the detection of TAZ1, MLCLAT1, or ALCAT1 mRNA and cardiolipin content and composition in abiological sample from the subject for monitoring of treatment for heartfailure.

Methods

For cardiolipin measurements, lipids are extracted from cellular samplesfrom the subject, such as including, but not limited to, cardiac tissue,non-cardiac tissue, peripheral blood cells, such as peripheral bloodmononuclear cells (PBMCs) and leukocytes, and isolated mitochondria.Lipids are extracted from the sample with a chloroform/methanol solution(Bligh Dyer extraction). Individual lipid extracts are reconstitutedwith chloroform:methanol (1:1), flushed with N₂, and stored at −20° C.for analysis via electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy using atriple-quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an automated nanosprayapparatus. Enhanced multidimensional mass spectrometry-based shotgunlipidomics for cardiolipin is performed as described by Han, et al.,“Shotgun lipidomics of cardiolipin molecular species in lipid extractsof biological samples,” J Lipid Res 47(4)864-879 (2006). Illustrativeresults for this analysis are shown in Example 1 above.

For mRNA measurements, RNA is prepared from cellular samples from thesubject, such as including, but not limited to, cardiac tissue,non-cardiac tissue, peripheral blood cells, such as peripheral bloodmononuclear cells (PBMCs) and leukocytes, and isolated mitochondria.Levels of mRNAs are measured using methods known in the art, such asthose exemplified in Example 2 above.

Results

It is expected that individuals with heart failure will display aberrantlevels of one or more of TAZ1, MLCL AT1, and ALCAT1 mRNAs compared to anormal control subject. TAZ1 mRNAs are expected to be reduced comparedto the control, while MLCL AT1, and ALCAT1 mRNAs are expected to beelevated. It is further expected that subjects with heart failure willdisplay aberrant cardiolipin remodeling compared to a normal controlsubject, with reduced levels of the 18:2 cardiolipin species compared toa control. Accordingly, these measurements are an indicator of therelative success of treatment for heart failure in a given individual.

Results for a given individual may be compared to results for a normalcontrol subject, or to previous results obtained for the subject, inorder to assess relative improvement of the subject over the course oftime. Where a subject shows satisfactory or unsatisfactory levels ofTAZ1, MLCL AT1, and ALCAT1 mRNAs or cardiolipin content or composition,the heart failure treatment may be adjusted accordingly.

These results will show that the methods of the present technology areuseful for detecting the levels of TAZ1, MLCL AT1, and ALCAT1 mRNAs mRNAand cardiolipin content and composition for monitoring heart failuretreatment in a subject in need thereof.

Example 5 Assessing Mitochondrial Dysfunction

This example will demonstrate methods of the present technology forassessing mitochondrial dysfunction in a subject in need thereof. Inparticular, the example will demonstrate the detection of TAZ1, MLCLAT1, or ALCAT1 mRNA and cardiolipin content and composition in abiological sample from the subject for assessing mitochondrialdysfunction.

Methods

For cardiolipin measurements, lipids are extracted from cellular samplesfrom the subject, such as including, but not limited to, cardiac tissue,non-cardiac tissue, peripheral blood cells, such as peripheral bloodmononuclear cells (PBMCs) and leukocytes, and isolated mitochondria.Lipids are extracted from the sample with a chloroform/methanol solution(Bligh Dyer extraction). Individual lipid extracts are reconstitutedwith chloroform:methanol (1:1), flushed with N₂, and stored at −20° C.for analysis via electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy using atriple-quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an automated nanosprayapparatus. Enhanced multidimensional mass spectrometry-based shotgunlipidomics for cardiolipin is performed as described by Han, et al.,“Shotgun lipidomics of cardiolipin molecular species in lipid extractsof biological samples,” J Lipid Res 47(4)864-879 (2006). Illustrativeresults for this analysis are shown in Example 1 above.

For mRNA measurements, RNA is prepared from cellular samples from thesubject, such as including, but not limited to, cardiac tissue,non-cardiac tissue, peripheral blood cells, such as peripheral bloodmononuclear cells (PBMCs) and leukocytes, and isolated mitochondria.Levels of mRNAs are measured using methods known in the art, such asthose exemplified in Example 2 above.

Results

It is expected that individuals with mitochondrial dysfunction willdisplay aberrant levels of one or more of TAZ 1, MLCL AT1, and ALCAT1mRNAs compared to a normal control subject. TAZ1 mRNAs are expected tobe reduced compared to the control, while MLCL AT1, and ALCAT1 mRNAs areexpected to be elevated. It is further expected that subjects with heartfailure will display aberrant cardiolipin remodeling compared to anormal control subject, with reduced levels of the 18:2 cardiolipinspecies compared to a control.

These results will show that the methods of the present technology areuseful for detecting the levels of TAZ1, MLCL AT1, and ALCAT1 mRNA andcardiolipin content and composition for assessing mitochondrialdysfunction in a subject in need thereof.

Example 6 Assessing Mitochondrial Cardiolipin Content and Composition

This example will demonstrate methods of the present technology forassessing mitochondrial cardiolipin content and composition in a subjectin need thereof.

Methods

Lipids are extracted from cellular samples from the subject, such asincluding, but not limited to, cardiac tissue, non-cardiac tissue,peripheral blood cells, such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) and leukocytes, and isolated mitochondria. Lipids are extractedfrom the sample with a chloroform/methanol solution (Bligh Dyerextraction). Individual lipid extracts are reconstituted withchloroform:methanol (1:1), flushed with N₂, and stored at −20° C. foranalysis via electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy using atriple-quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an automated nanosprayapparatus. Enhanced multidimensional mass spectrometry-based shotgunlipidomics for cardiolipin is performed as described by Han, et al.,“Shotgun lipidomics of cardiolipin molecular species in lipid extractsof biological samples,” J Lipid Res 47(4)864-879 (2006). Illustrativeresults for this analysis are shown in Example 1 above.

Results

It is expected that individuals with mitochondrial dysfunction or heartfailure will display aberrant levels of one or more of TAZ1, MLCL AT1,and ALCAT1 mRNAs compared to a normal control subject. TAZ1 mRNAs areexpected to be reduced compared to the control, while MLCL AT1, andALCAT1 mRNAs are expected to be elevated. It is further expected thatsubjects with heart failure will display aberrant cardiolipin remodelingcompared to a normal control subject, with reduced levels of the 18:2cardiolipin species compared to a control.

These results will show that the methods of the present technology areuseful for assessing cardiolipin content and composition in a subject inneed thereof. The assessment may be made, for example, in the context ofdiagnosing heart failure, monitoring the treatment of heart failure, orassessing mitochondrial dysfunction, such as described in the aboveexamples.

Equivalents

The present invention is not to be limited in terms of the particularembodiments described in this application, which are intended as singleillustrations of individual aspects of the invention. Many modificationsand variations of this invention can be made without departing from itsspirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of theinvention, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent tothose skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Suchmodifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope ofthe appended claims. The present invention is to be limited only by theterms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalentsto which such claims are entitled. It is to be understood that thisinvention is not limited to particular methods, reagents, compoundscompositions or biological systems, which can, of course, vary. It isalso to be understood that the terminology used herein is for thepurpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intendedto be limiting.

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are describedin terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individualmember or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and allpurposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, allranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subrangesand combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easilyrecognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range beingbroken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths,tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein canbe readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third,etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all languagesuch as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the like,include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequentlybroken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will beunderstood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individualmember. Thus, for example, a group having 1-3 cells refers to groupshaving 1, 2, or 3 cells. Similarly, a group having 1-5 cells refers togroups having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 cells, and so forth.

All patents, patent applications, provisional applications, andpublications referred to or cited herein are incorporated by referencein their entirety, including all figures and tables, to the extent theyare not inconsistent with the explicit teachings of this specification.

Other embodiments are set forth within the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for selecting a heart failure subjectfor treatment with an aromatic-cationic peptide , the method comprising:(a) detecting levels of tafazzin (TAZ1) mRNA in a biological sample fromthe subject; and (b) selecting the subject for aromatic-cationic peptidetreatment where the level of TAZ1 mRNA in the biological sample from thesubject is reduced about 2.5-fold compared to the normal control sample,and (c) administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amountof the aromatic-cationic peptide, wherein the aromatic-cationic peptideis D-Arg-2′6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂ or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting levelsof cardiolipin isoforms in a biological sample from the subject andcomparing the levels of cardiolipin isoforms to those of a normalcontrol subject, wherein the detecting levels of cardiolipin isoformscomprises chromatography, mass spectrometry, ELISA, Western blotting,immunodetection, or immunoprecipitation.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein detecting the level of TAZ1mRNA comprises RT-PCR, in situhybridization, or Northern blotting.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinthe peptide is administered daily for 6 weeks or more.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the heart failure results from hypertension; ischemicheart disease; exposure to a cardiotoxic compound; myocarditis; thyroiddisease; viral infection; gingivitis; drug abuse; alcohol abuse;pericarditis; atherosclerosis; vascular disease; hypertrophiccardiomyopathy; acute myocardial infarction; left ventricular systolicdysfunction; coronary bypass surgery; starvation; an eating disorder; ora genetic defect.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the peptide isadministered orally, topically, systemically, intravenously,subcutaneously, intraperitoneally, or intramuscularly.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising separately, sequentially or simultaneouslyadministering a cardiovascular agent to the subject, wherein thecardiovascular agent is selected from the group consisting of: ananti-arrhythmia agent, a vasodilator, an anti-anginal agent, acorticosteroid, a cardioglycoside, a diuretic, a sedative, anangiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, an angiotensin IIantagonist, a thrombolytic agent, a calcium channel blocker, athroboxane receptor antagonist, a radical scavenger, an anti-plateletdrug, a β-adrenaline receptor blocking drug, α-receptor blocking drug, asympathetic nerve inhibitor, a digitalis formulation, an inotrope, andan antihyperlipidemic drug.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein thebiological sample comprises tissue, a cell, or a mitochondrion from thesubject.